Human Instruments: Accessible Musical Instruments for People with Varied Physical Ability

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2015:219:202-7.

Abstract

There are few ways in which persons, who do not have the use of their hands or arms, are able make music or control complex computer systems. Music as an expressive output is key to the full development of the human mind. Human Instruments is dedicated to the development and production of accessible musical instruments playable at a professional level, as well as computer control interfaces. We are currently user-testing three new, uniquely accessible devices, for their effectiveness in expressive music creation. Preliminary results are compelling.

MeSH terms

  • Disabled Persons / psychology*
  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation*
  • Equipment Design*
  • Humans
  • Music Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Music Therapy / methods*
  • Paraplegia / psychology
  • Paraplegia / rehabilitation
  • Quadriplegia / psychology
  • Quadriplegia / rehabilitation
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • User-Computer Interface*