Accessible instruments in the wild: Engaging with a community of learning-disabled musicians

Jacob Harrison, Andrew P. McPherson, Alan Chamberlain

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Proceeding (Non-Journal item)

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Disabled people face many barriers to access in all areas of life, including creative expression. With music making, a lack of accessible instruments can be a major barrier, as well as environmental factors. The Strummi is an accessible instrument based on the guitar, designed as a technology probe to explore the technical and cultural role of guitar-like design and interaction modality. We have been collaborating with Heart n Soul, an arts charity that works with young people and adults with learning disabilities. In this paper, we share findings from the first year of this collaboration, and reflect on the implications for doing HCI research with learning-disabled communities. We took a longitudinal, situated approach with an intentionally simple technology inspired by in the wild and technology probe methodologies, allowing for interest in the Strummi to grow organically.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI EA 2019 - Extended Abstracts of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450359719
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 02 May 2019
Event2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2019 - Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Duration: 04 May 201909 May 2019

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
CityGlasgow
Period04 May 201909 May 2019

Keywords

  • Accessible instruments
  • Field studies
  • Learning disability
  • Music
  • Neurodiversity
  • Technology probes

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