Colin McCooey hopes his story can help other disabled people achieve their dreams.

A disabled DJ is supporting a new campaign which aims to highlight the challenges disabled people face in gaining and developing skills.

Colin McCooey is a participant in disability charity Leonard Cheshire’s Go Digital programme, which has enabled him to develop skills in technology and achieve ambitions of presenting his own radio show and making music.

Through regular use of assistive technology and IT, Colin realised he could enhance his skills, promote disability awareness and improve his social life.

Colin, who lives at the charity’s Cheshire House social care service in Inverness, now hopes that his story can inspire other disabled people to learn new skills and boost their self-confidence.

He said: “DJing and music are therapy for me when I’m stressed – it makes me calm down. Technology has made me more determined to continue entertaining people with my music and more driven to keep producing it.

“My dad was a DJ on the local Inverness radio station for 33 years, he’s who got me started in technology and music. If I ever walked away from music, I feel in myself like I was letting my dad down.”

Colin first became interested in the power of technology when Cheshire House volunteer John Macphee gave him his first laptop – which he has been using ever since to create DJ mixes and post them online. The technology has also enabled him to keep in touch with his parents and friends during lockdown.

The skills Colin has developed at Cheshire House and through the Go Digital programme have enabled him to pass his knowledge onto other residents at the service, as they all engage with more interactive equipment including a large, interactive table tablet and a sensory room brimming with activities.

“It’s not just a job for me; it’s to show people that even though you’re disabled, no matter what you or what a person says, a disabled person can do things,” Colin said.

“I hope my videos and live shows can inspire other disabled people to do the same.”

The Go Digital programme supports disabled people to develop their confidence in technology by enabling them to benefit from being digitally engaged. It is one of a range of life-changing programmes offered by Leonard Cheshire all with the ambition of empowering disabled people to live, learn and work as independently as they choose.