In the landscape of modern music production, where digitalization has revolutionized accessibility for many, blind and visually impaired musicians find themselves navigating a less tactile and inclusive environment. The MIDI Association, spearheading a movement for music accessibility, aims to bridge this gap by developing a new standard that prioritizes tactile feedback and inclusivity. The focus extends beyond assisting blind musicians to creating a universally accessible music tech landscape.
Athan Billias, President of the MIDI Association, emphasizes the shift in music production’s visual orientation, especially with the dominance of app-based studios. As studios transition from traditional tactile interfaces to visually-oriented apps, blind musicians face challenges. The MIDI Association recognizes the need for smart regulations that balance technological advancements with inclusivity, steering away from prioritizing eye candy over functionality.
The association’s ongoing efforts involve creating a technical standard to facilitate the seamless integration of accessibility settings, empowering vision-impaired musicians to control their recording and production equipment effortlessly. By unifying accessibility endeavors across the industry, the MIDI Association envisions a future where blind musicians can plug their devices into various systems, loading tailored accessibility settings. Additionally, the organization aims to promote awareness and potentially oversee open-source software initiatives in this space.
Despite the digital era’s strides, blind musicians like Scott Chesworth, a London-based producer, underscore the importance of ongoing improvements. Chesworth, who has been blind since birth, relies on screen reader software and accessibility extensions for digital audio production. He emphasizes the need for music tech companies to actively involve blind and vision-impaired individuals in the development process, advocating for user testing and feedback from those with lived experiences.
While the transition to digital technology has democratized music-making economically, it has posed challenges in terms of accessibility. The MIDI Association’s mission to balance this equation involves not only creating tools for blind musicians but fostering a collaborative approach that enriches the overall user experience. As the music tech industry embraces inclusivity, it not only opens doors for visually impaired artists but enhances products for all users.