Assistive Technology for Music Education

            Assistive technology refers to assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities.  Personally, it only seems right that everyone have the opportunity to somehow participate in music; it is a human right.  Also, federal laws such as IDEA 2004, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ensure that students with special needs have equal access to education.  Therefore, it is no surprise that there is a wide range of resources available to increase the accessibility of music making.

            Based on the definition of assistive technology, one of the simplest examples that would help in music composition (or any context) is a pencil with a specialized grip for the student.  Another useful tool when teaching composition is a Velcro type board that allows students to physically place notes on a staff.  Musical instruments are an entire world of assistive technology.  These range from instruments such as the bells that are inherently accessible to students with motor skills issues to adaptations for existing instruments such as a trombone slide extender.  Further innovative examples include music reading devices that make music reading easier by magnifying and adjusting the brightness of scanned images.  These devices even include the ability to “write” on scores with a special stylus and have a foot pedal page turning option.  Another very interesting device in the Soundbeam, which maps body movement to sound production.  Regardless of how simple or advanced, assistive technology is a necessity in music education.