Creative United Collaborating on Research into
Music Software Access for Visually Impaired People

Creative United is working in close collaboration with the Performance without Barriers research team at Queen’s University Belfast to bridge the gap between visually impaired and sighted music producers, through an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded research project. Together with partners from the Centre for Digital Music (CDM), we will investigate the accessibility of music software from the perspective of visually impaired people.  

At the heart of this research project is the firm belief that equal and undifferentiated access to technology can lead to equal employment opportunities. Over the next three years, the team will continue their work to better understand and share the experiences of disabled creatives. Together with this community, we will explore new tools that we hope will improve the inclusion of disabled people in creative pursuits.  

Following the adage “Nothing About Us Without Us”, the research is guided by the insights of a visually impaired musician and PhD researcher James Cunningham. 

James Cunningham said: 

“Bridging the Gap is making a concerted effort to include disabled folk at all stages of design and thinking, and I hope that this will trend towards a new norm across the board. It’s a privilege and pleasure to contribute my unique lived experience to a project which not only aims to increase social mobility for disabled musicians but to challenge the biases and stereotypes ingrained in our society.” 

Mary-Alice Stack, Chief Executive of Creative United said: 

“As part of our ongoing commitment to making music accessible to all through our Inclusive Access to Music Making programme, Creative United is delighted to have partnered with James Cunningham and the Performance without Barriers research team at Queen’s University Belfast to help break down barriers and bridge the gap for visually impaired music producers.”