Inclusive Music Making Made Easier with Launch of New Guide

Photo Credit: Youth Music

Disabled musicians will find it easier than ever to find and fund the right adaptive musical instruments or equipment for their needs – thanks to a new downloadable resource launched on 4th November.

The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments is the only one of its kind in the UK. It brings together the latest innovations in adaptive and digital instruments, with practical options to suit a wide range of needs – from one-handed recorders to conductors’ batons for the visually impaired.

Last published in 2020, the guide has been commissioned by social enterprise Creative United and compiled and published by the Inclusive Music Consortium (IMC) – a group of specialist organisations committed to making music education and the wider music industry more accessible and inclusive for disabled people.

The guide is hosted on a newly launched website for the Take it away scheme – a Creative United initiative that breaks down financial barriers to music-making. Funded by Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the scheme has already helped many thousands of UK customers to finance the purchase of a new musical instrument with the benefit of an interest-free loan.

Bridget Whyte, Music Mark’s CEO said:

“Music Mark is delighted to see this new, updated Guide to Buying Adaptive Instruments. Everyone should have access to the joy of playing music and there are so many new products which can make assess to instruments possible for those with additional needs. This comprehensive guide demonstrates the diversity of options available and crucially provides information about where they can be purchased.  We look forward to signposting this guide to music educators to help them provide advice and support.”

Mary-Alice Stack, Chief Executive at Creative United said:

“As a social enterprise, we’re committed to supporting the creative livelihoods of musicians of all ages and abilities. This guide, alongside our Take it away website, will help raise awareness and enable access to the wide range of product developments and innovations which are helping break down barriers to participation in music for disabled people.”

Clarence Adoo, who plays with the Paraorchestra and RNS Moves said: 

“My hope is that many people are able to access an accessible instrument. If it’s accessible or tweaked in the right way, it can give you a sense of freedom and better technique.”

Anne Edward, whose disabled son is a young musician said:

“About 7 years ago, the Clarion opened the world of music to my son by removing the physical barriers to him playing music and allowing his talent to shine through. A guide like this would have allowed us to explore options as his physical functionality decreased and would certainly have made his journey to becoming a musician less frustrating and more enjoyable for us all. Today he plays with a mainstream community orchestra, performs with regional ensembles and is part of a new Clarion trio.”

Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music said:

“Music is the ultimate form of communication, with adaptive instruments providing a vital means for people to express their creativity. The thought, skill and ingenuity that goes into adaptive musical instruments is something that I learnt much more about earlier this year when I was privileged to attend the ABLE Assembly at the Berklee School of Music. This updated guide is a very important resource and assist understanding further.”

A collective resource for inclusive music-making

The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments has been developed as a shared resource, drawing on the expertise, insight and lived experience of the IMC’s members.

The Guide brings together information on:

• Adapted acoustic instruments
• Versatile electronic instruments
• Prototypes and custom designs
• Links to inclusive retailers, organisations and funding support

The resource is not intended to be exhaustive. Instead, it aims to show what is possible, encourage creativity and experimentation, and signpost disabled musicians and their families to support and advice.

Accessing the Guide 

The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments is free to download from 4 November 2025 at: https://takeitaway.org.uk/accessible-instruments/

The website features an interactive map of over 100 music shops offering a range of instruments, equipment, technology and tuition, available to buy with an interest-free loan, including two retailers specialising in adaptive instruments.