Evaluation Tool

This means the instrument can communicate with other software and hardware using the most up to date MIDI protocols (either wired or wirelessly). Using a DMI as a MIDI controller can provide a more accessible way for disabled musicians to interact with other music software and hardware.

Set up is a term that can include product authorisation, downloading paired applications or software, setting user preferences, etc. DMIs that have set up processes containing many steps can be problematic for disabled musicians. The more steps involved the more likely it is that one of those steps is inaccessible. If a step is inaccessible, it can take much longer to start using the instrument or prevent it from being used.

This means an instrument only has a limited selection of sounds and cannot be used with other software or hardware that might extend this. Using a list of preset or 'built-in' sounds could limit an instrument's use for disabled musicians. For example, a person with a sensory disability may not be able to find a suitable sound within the limited choice.

Wireless in this context is inclusive of all connections including power and audio cables. An instrument connected to multiple cables can be hazardous in some situations, especially for disabled musicians with sudden involuntary movements.

This means the DMI can produce sound without being connected to any other hardware or software, apart from headphones or an amplifier. Requiring additional software or hardware to produce sound increases the possibility of part of this system being inaccessible in some way. It also adds to the complexity of the instrument. This can make it difficult for a disabled musician to integrate the DMI into their current setup and practices.

This could be using a general or specialist stand attachment. Being able to mount a DMI on a stand can be helpful for disabled musicians who use a wheelchair, as well as musicians with disabilities that impact their dexterity or ability to grip and hold an item.

Being able to adjust an instrument's sensitivity to input can be very important for a musician's playing style and ability. A disabled musician with limited movement may want to adjust the input so that the output can be scaled from a smaller range of movement.

The ability to load an instrument's previously used settings or set up a custom profile and preferences is useful. This can reduce time for disabled musicians that otherwise may need to navigate potentially inaccessible settings and preference menus.

This refers to the ability to change the physical controllers on hardware or adjust the visual interface of software. For many disabled musicians this can reduce the complexity of an interface. It can also provide a way of creating an interface that is easier to physically interact with.

Colour can be present in many visual interfaces, this includes LED lights on hardware controllers. For musicians with a visual disability, changing the colour can be extremely important and in some cases make or break the interaction.

High contrast allows a musician to invert foreground and background colours. For software this can be supported as an accessibility feature or through colour profiles. For hardware this can mean offering a secondary version of a product with the colours inverted. Musicians with visual disabilities may require a high contrast interface to be able to use it comfortably.

Screen reading technologies can be present in both hardware and software instruments. Disabled musicians who use a screen reader may not be able to use equipment that does not provide speech output.

It can be of benefit if an instrument can withstand reasonable damage and remain functional. For software instruments the physical device used to access them should be considered. Disabled musicians that have sudden involuntary movements are more likely to accidentally drop or knock an instrument unintentionally.

This refers to an instrument being able to continuously operate for long periods of time with minimal risk of processing or buffer issues that may impact performance. In inclusive music settings, creative and practice sessions can take much longer than anticipated. Technology that needs to be recharged or that becomes temperamental during long sessions can be restrictive.

Protective accessories refers to all types of accessory designed to protect the physicality of the instrument. This could include cases, silicone covers, cloth protectors, etc. Having additional protective accessories can minimise 'wear and tear' of an instrument. Especially in some contexts, like inclusive music sessions, where the likelihood of accidental damage is high.

If an instrument has multiple controls of the same type, for example a fader on a channel strip, these controls should operate in the same way. For musicians with cognitive disabilities having multiple controls that look similar but behave differently could cause frustration and confusion.

Live sound equipment refers to PA systems, DI boxes, audio interfaces, etc. Having to remember to always carry and connect additional adaptors for equipment can be tricky for musicians with a range of disabilities.

Performance environments can be challenging for some instruments. Changes in lighting for example, can impact the ability to see the instrument interface and this may require adjustment. The need to switch between a practice and performance mode or setting can be difficult for some disabled musicians.

A musician's action can result in many forms of feedback. Sound output is not always present as there are many actions that relate to other instrument functions like changing the type of sound or mode. If these actions are only communicated by one type of feedback, for example visually by an LED, the result can be 'invisible' to musicians with a visual disability.

Moving, blinking, or auto-updates to an interface can be distracting. A musician should be able remove any distracting actions apart from those that may be considered essential, for example a blinking LED indicating tempo. Musicians with certain types of cognitive disability can struggle to use interfaces with lots of distracting elements such as lights or animations.