Disabled musicians to benefit from OHMI’s exciting new online resource, OHMI Connect

​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,