Designing inclusive music technologies. Transforming lives of disabled musicians through music improvisation and digital technologies.

The top 10 needs of Music Hubs and SEN/D provisions across the UK have been identified by (Knight, 2015). Our research proposal will address the most impactful issue of this report, raised for music education:

1. The most common issue that teachers have asked for help with is music technology.

This need highlights an essential point concerning the use of music technology by disabled musicians. Barriers to inclusive music making are twofold. In addition to the access needs of the disabled musician, those facilitating the use of music technology in a support capacity have their own set of usability requirements. This point is supported in part by the observation that "Accessibility is not solely determined in the design and making" (Samuels, 2014). Factors regarding the context of use should also be considered.

In order to better understand users of Assistive Music Technology (AMT) and their needs I propose that this research focuses on answering the following questions:

1. What is the typical level of independence of a disabled musician? Is there an opportunity to improve independence?
2. What is the typical skillset of a music facilitator? How can those without a strong technical background be enabled to support disabled musicians with technology?
3. Can the benefits of the flexibility of music technology still be realised with interfaces and systems optimised for access and ease of use?
4. How can context specific access and usability guidance be best communicated to companies involved in the development of music technology products?

The main objective of this research is to ensure that people with disabilities have the tools and support they need to be creative musicians. In addition to this, an awareness of the benefits of assistive music technology and opportunities for inclusion will be promoted by examples of collaborative work between disabled musicians and musicians of the Ulster Orchestra.

If we can better support those who facilitate the use of music technology then they can in turn better support disabled musicians. If we can improve the usability of AMT systems, facilitators will need less support themselves.

The initial stages of the project will focus primarily on qualitative research in the form of user interviews and observation of context specific use of AMT. Subject matter experts will be consulted as well as musicians and music groups. This initial investigation will define the problem domain and identify any shortcomings in available AMT, AMT training and highlight barriers to inclusion. Drake's expertise is essential during this stage.

The project will then move onto a series of rapid design iteration cycles to develop an AMT solution, which seeks to improve independence, access and ease of use. Depending on the type of technology developed it may be appropriate at this stage to conduct quantitative research. For example, to enable fine-tuning of input sensors. The partnership with Farset Labs is vital here.

The research will pave the way for the establishment of the first inclusive music orchestra (where abled and disabled musicians make music alongside each other) in Northern Ireland. Ulster Orchestra partner is the driving force here.