The OHMI Trust discusses removing the barriers to music-making for people with physical disabilities this Disability History Month…
Wherever there is human life there is music; it is integral to everything we do. To deny participation to anyone is to deny them a human need and right.
Barriers to Music-Making
Any deficiency in one hand or arm makes traditional instruments unplayable to any reasonable standard. Musical instruments that can be played without two fully-functioning hands and arms are rare, denying unlimited and undifferentiated participation in musical life to those with congenital disabilities and amputees, as well as the millions who may have been injured, suffered a stroke, developed arthritis or for whatever reason lack full strength and control of their upper limbs. Due to the absence of suitable instruments, millions across the world are excluded from music-making.
About the OHMI Trust
Our primary objective at the OHMI Trust is to remove the barriers to music-making faced by those with physical disabilities.
We enable music-making for people with physical disabilities through the creation and provision of playable instruments. Instruments are sourced primarily through the annual OHMI Competition in which people are challenged to adapt or create instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm. The resulting solutions can then be used appropriately for many physical disabilities.
As the instruments become available, we work with appropriate organisations to teach and promote their use to anyone previously excluded by their disability.
The impact of our work
By removing the barriers to music-making faced by physically disabled people, we are enabling undifferentiated participation in musical life, whether at school, in the home or in a professional ensemble.
Our success will have a profound impact not just on individuals but on society’s relationship with disability, opening new realms of achievement and possibility.
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