Communication Accessibility
For students with cognitive, physical, or learning disabilities that affect communication, there are many ways to provide accommodation in the music classroom. Communication is key for students to feel included and engaged with the content and with the class itself. In a music classroom where there is so much group collaboration and interaction, having ways to support communication accessibility is a must-have.
Here you can browse a number of articles and resources for various methods of communication and accessibility in the instrumental music classroom.
Communication Accessibility
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or who have an auditory processing disorder will need accommodations in order to communicate successfully with the teacher and their peers. In a music classroom, there are resources and ways that we as music educators can support our students, such as:
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write instructions and plans on the board clearly and consistently
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use predetermined cues or gestures to communicate certain concepts
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learn and use ASL or have an interpreter present for those who speak ASL
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help the student select an instrument that lends itself to their success
There are many other ways we can provide communication accessibility in our classrooms; below are some articles and resources outlining them.
"Teaching Music to Students with Hearing Loss"
- This article from the National Association for Music Education was written by a musician with hearing loss herself, and she details her experiences learning music as a student to inform some steps music educators can take to support students with hearing loss.
"How to make music activities accessible for deaf children and young people"
- From the UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark, this guide was created in conjunction with the NDCS and other music education organizations.
"Teaching Instrumental Music to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students"
- This article from Research & Issues In Music Education provides an overview of some ways in which music educators can support their students. Though a tad outdated, this article has some concrete examples of how music classrooms can be made more accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired will also need accommodations to participate in your music classroom. There are many resources and tools that you can use to support your students, such as the Braille music system, various emerging technologies, and specific teaching methods.
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments LLC - "Music Adaptations"
- This article from the company TSVI LLC provides a general overview of making adaptions for students with visual impairments in the music classroom, as well as links to other resources and softwares for music Braille systems and other notation.
Erasmus+: "Teaching the Blind - Music"
- This teaching guide is one in a series of teaching guides from the European group Erasmus+. The guide contains an overview, specific teaching practices and pedagogies, and exercises and resources teachers can use to support blind students in the classroom.
- This research study shows the importance of music educators to familiarize and use the Braille music system, as well as other tools for blind students studying music.
Communication Accessibility
Blind and Vision Impaired Students
Communication Accessibility
Students with Cognitive Disabilities
Milne Publishing - "Music and the Child" Chapter 11: Music and Inclusion
- This chapter from the text, "Music and the Child" gives an overview of several different learning/cognitive disabilities and how music educators can make their teaching more inclusive for these students.
"Adaptive Music: Communication"
NAfME - "Understanding and Teaching Students with Autism in Music Education Settings"
- From the National Association for Music Education, this article gives an overview of supporting students with autism in the music classroom, including strategies and lesson-planning suggestions.
"An Adaptation Tool Kit for Teaching Music" (2012)
- Though older, this article contains many clearly laid out suggestions for teaching methodology in an accessible, inclusive classroom. Scroll through to read more about specific practices.
"Identifying Music Interventions to Support Students with ADHD in the Classroom"
"Practice Strategies for Students with ADHD"