University News Last updated 15 December 2015
Music education for disabled children in Birmingham is to be addressed in a new pilot teaching programme aimed at ensuring music-making is accessible to children with disabilities.
Fifteen children across 13 schools will participate in the programme taking part in one-to-one music lessons and group workshops. The children will be taught using instruments which have been specifically adapted so that they can be played using one hand.
The programme focuses on children who have an upper limb deficiency and who may until now, have been excluded from taking part due to their disability.
The year-long programme of research into the OHMI funded pilot scheme is being led by a partnership involving The OHMI (One Handed Musical Instrument) Trust, Birmingham Services for Education and Birmingham City University.
The effectiveness of the pilot scheme will be evaluated by researchers at Birmingham City University who will explore the potential for the programme to be expanded more widely.
Professor Martin Fautley, Director of the Centre for Research Education, Birmingham City University, said:
Dr Stephen Hetherington, Founding Trustee of OHMI, said: "After only four years, the OHMI Trust has developed a number of adapted traditional instruments for people with physical disabilities capable of being performed to the highest levels of virtuosity. That is a primary task, but would mean little if the instruments were not then taught, particularly to children. This pilot programme is, then, of enormous importance to our work. It can profoundly improve the lives of millions of people."
Ciaran O'Donnell, Head of Music Service at Birmingham Services for Education, said: "Within the Music Service we felt that we were leaving some children behind – those children disadvantaged by a physical (upper limb) disability. It has been a great privilege to work with OHMI to identify these children, train our music service staff and commission specially adapted instruments to break down the barrier for children in Birmingham. I see it as a crucial step towards a wholly inclusive offer for young people."