General Resources
Disabled Musicians Association
The Disabled Musicians Association is a newly forming organization committed to providing community and accessibility in all musical settings. The group primarily exists on a Discord server and welcomes anyone who identifies as disabled to join.
RAMPD
Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) is an organization which seeks to make the music industry more accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities. RAMPD focuses primarily on the live music and recording industries. Its members advocate for employment opportunities for disabled individuals in the field, provide a network for those individuals, and partner with companies to make mainstream musical spaces more accessible.
Resources for Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians
BrailleMuse.net
BrailleMuse is a free website that converts xml files created in any notation software to brl files that can be read on most Braille notetakers.
Dancing Dots
Dancing Dots is a company with several products and services for blind and low vision musicians. They sell accessible notation and Braille music transcription software for Windows users, Braille music curricula, and assistive technology for Braille and large print music readers.
MENVI
The Music Education Network for the Visually Impaired is a group of students, teachers, parents, and musicians who provide support and information regarding music education for blind students. This group maintains an email listserv and online journal.
MuseScore Accessibility Guide
MuseScore is a free, mainstream notation software for Windows and Mac. Although its accessibility features still have some bugs, MuseScore is usable with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and Orca and can be used to create scores and transcribe basic music into Braille. MuseScore’s Braille music conversion feature is less customizable and nuanced than BrailleMuse, but MuseScore creates brf files, rather than brl, which can be opened on any notetaker or Braille display or printed with most embossers. The accessibility guide linked above provides a starting point for blind users navigating the software with a screen reader.
NFB Performing Arts Division
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Performing Arts Division seeks to connect professionals and amateurs in all sectors of the performing arts and educate the public on the capabilities of blind performers. The organization hosts a website, Facebook group, and podcast and holds regular virtual events for its members.
NLS Music Section
The National Library Service for the Blind has an extensive catalogue of Braille and large print scores for all instruments, as well as recorded instructional materials. They offer music in physical and digital formats which can be loaned or downloaded for free once an individual is enrolled to receive their services.
Resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Musicians
Association for Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss
The Association for Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss (AAMHL) is a free-to-join organization with the goals of discussing challenges, creating opportunities, and providing music education for musicians who are deaf and hard of hearing. They collaborate with healthcare and music education professionals to develop assistive technology and establish a network and community through conferences and online groups.
Macy James Music 