A NATIONAL music charity is today launching a consultation to investigate the barriers that disabled people face in relation to formal music education.
Drake Music hopes the findings will assist in achieving its core aim of breaking down disabling barriers to music and to help support the needs of some of the 1.7 million children and young people with special needs in England.
Doug Bott, the charity’s education manager, said: “Despite the importance of music to many SEN/Disabled children and young people, very few gain accreditation of any kind in music and formal curriculum pathways remain poorly defined.
“We hope the findings of this consultation will help to to increase access for disabled people to formal music education.
Drake Music has been pioneering the use of Assistive Music Technology to make music accessible for over 20 years.
The charity is calling on all those with an interest in music education and SEN/Disability (SEND) issues to respond to the consultation by November 2.
All respondents will be entered into a prize draw to win a Skoog – a new musical instrument that’s accessible to many SEN/Disabled young people.
The charity hopes to publish the findings by the end of the year.
To respond to the consultation, visit: www.drakemusic.org/dm-education
Drake Music is also launching a new series of DM Education web pages on its website.
The pages encourage visitors to share information on accessible music resources and courses, as well as the experiences of disabled people in formal music education.
Tel, 020 7739 5444
