At the heart of one music company is the idea of connecting people with and without disabilities through music locally, nationally and internationally.
Drake Music currently operates in the United Kingdom; however, their technology is really cool and totally worth sharing.
Since 1988, Drake Music has been working to pioneer programs involving assistive technology and music, hence the name, Assistive Music Technology or AMT for short. Examples of AMT include a computer running Clicker 5, a switch (a large accessible button that can be connected to a computer) or an angle arm that enables an instrument to be mounted onto a wheelchair within easy reach of the student.
Here is a video of a student who worked with AMT:
At the end of 2011, Drake Music developed a new accesible music course called “Introduction to Music” that allows users, of all ability, to interact with each other. It has three levels, Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2. The course combines musical elements like composing and performing with learning assessment resources for the Clicker 5 software, which is accessible to almost any student.
Many users of the program use switches to control the music. In addition to the switches, the MIDI Creator, which is a musical instrument of sorts that allows all kinds of music to be made, also aids some users. For instance, one individual can use their head to play pre-determined scales on any instrument he or she chooses on the program.
Programs like Sibelius Software via The Grid 2, which is a voice output communication aid that allows individuals to compose music.
Visit drakemusic.org to learn more!