ABA & GLP | Innovation Field Notes
Sound Touch is an initiative of the UK-based arts organization, The Amber Trust, which works to provide blind and visually impaired children (including those with additional disabilities) an equal chance to meet their musical needs and aspirations. They are the only national organization in the United Kingdom providing this specialized service, helping more than 600 young people annually through direct programs. They have developed a strong reputation as specialists in music education for blind children, with evidence-based programs developed through extensive research partnerships and in collaboration with blind and visually impaired people.
Launched in 2020 by professor Adam Ockelgord and Dr. Hannah Marsden, Amber Sound Touch is an online portal created to help include more blind and visually impaired children in high-quality music making. The free resource is designed to assist educators working in four key teaching roles:
- Early aged children
- Instrumental and vocal training
- Visually impaired children with complex needs; and
- Visually impaired children with neurodegenerative disease.
Through Amber Sound Touch, educators receive access to useful practices and solutions in approaching music education within each teaching role. They can also access children’s stories, which include 13 films showcasing examples of student learning and achievement. An introductory webinar film assists teachers and supporters in understanding the resource and how it can enable blind and visually impaired children to achieve incredible musical and social outcomes. These resources within the Amber Sound Touch portal help non-music specialists and music specialist teachers and support staff to understand how to tailor their teaching, including learning to play by ear, guidelines for appropriate touch in teaching technique, notation, improvising, practice, and performance.
Learn more at https://www.ambertrust.app/sound-touch
Authored by GLP 2022 Cohort members
Kaythrin Patricia Cobbler (Canada), Cathay Phillips (United Kingdom), Brian Bersh (United States), Juanita Calderon (Colombia)
