Musical Accessibility and Inclusion: an experience report of a Sensory Educational Concert by a Symphony Orchestra for a Deaf audience.

Abstract

Inclusion in musical practice intersects with various issues, including cultural accessibility for people with disabilities and disorders, as well as the development of diverse audiences. When considering musical accessibility for deaf individuals, one might think of the use of Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) in concerts, operas, musicals, and shows. However, little attention is given to how deaf audiences actually receive and perceive music. In light of this, in 2016, the Santo André Symphony Orchestra held a sensory educational concert specifically designed for deaf audiences, aiming to encourage audience development and make symphonic repertoire more inclusive by addressing the sensory needs of deaf individuals. Therefore, this article aims to report on that experience. We hope this article fosters more informed discussions on musical accessibility for people with disabilities and contributes to the expansion of academic literature in the field of music and inclusion.