​We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new online resource, designed to help disabled musicians find the adapted instruments and enabling equipment best suited to their needs.
 
Entitled OHMI Connect, the website provides two entries into support: a search for instruments based on a musician’s impairment; and a search for options relating to a particular musical instrument.
 
The process is a simple one. Users follow a series of questions about their upper limb/ digit weakness, difference/ restriction or absence, and the steps that follow will be determined by the answers given:
 

• Opting for the Upper Limb Weakness route will ask which side of the body has the weakness – left, right or both?
• Opting for the Upper limb/ digit difference/ absence route will ask more detailed questions about the impairment such as whether it relates to the whole of the arm, forearm or digits.
• Opting for the Upper Limb restriction route will ask the same detailed questions about the impairment, with a further option to select any restrictions to the elbow or wrist.

 
Once the option that best reflects the musician’s condition has been selected, a list of suitable adapted instruments is provided, including instrument that can be played left- or right-handed, or enabling equipment such as floor stands, support straps and bow holders. Each option will list how to find out more, whether it be a link to the OHMI Hire Scheme, a video demonstrating the instrument or equipment, or a link to another information source.
 
Alternatively, the Show me specific instruments option on the home page provides the full list of instruments and enabling equipment, without the need to apply any filters.
 
Find out more at the OHMI Connect website or watch the explanatory OHMI Connect video below,

We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the incredible Radio 4 listeners who took the time to listen, share and donate to our recent BBC Radio 4 Charity appeal.
 
As a result, we’ve raised an incredible £11,181 which will help match disabled musicians with the adapted musical instruments and enabling equipment they need to participate fully in music-making. We’ve also raised the profile of our small charity at national level.
 
Our services are in high demand. Before the appeal went out, we had a waiting list which included five people waiting for bagpipes, one for the clarinet, two for flutes and one for a French Horn support. Some of these individuals had been waiting for nearly a year, often at a very challenging point of their lives. We know that two on our list were recovering from stroke and have no doubt that playing an adapted instrument would support their recovery.
 
Thanks to the appeal, we will be able to purchase the new instruments and equipment needed and have cancelled out our existing waiting list.
 
The appeal has also generated a number of enquiries from a new audience of musicians and music teachers so our work will continue unabated.
 
The BBC Radio 4 Appeal was voiced by Tom Shakespeare and was broadcast on 28th January 2024. We were delighted with Tom’s support as he’s not only a social scientist, bioethicist and leading voice on disability issues but a familiar voice on Radio 4.
 
In his delivery, Tom recounted the story of Maria who was born without a left hand, Rowan who uses her right hand to read Braille music whilst she plays, and Kaila, whose Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy is no barrier to playing the Bagpipes.
 
“It’s really important that that disabled people can play musical instruments. I spend all my time listening to BBC Radio and I want to hear disabled classical musicians, jazz musicians, folk musicians, the whole lot! So that’s why I support OHMI and why I want them to be available to everybody.”
Tom Shakespeare, social scientist, bioethicist and advocate for disabled people.
 
Listen to OHMI’s BBC Radio 4 Appeal.
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If you would like to know more about the impact of the appeal please click here.