The Southampton and Isle of Wight (SIOW) Music Service has begun a collaborative effort with the OHMI (Opportunity, Hope, and Music Inclusion) organization to expand musical participation for students with physical impairments, as detailed in a recent discussion ahead of the Music Mark Conference 2026. Zoe Hunting of SIOW Music Service shared insights into the origins of this partnership and its impact on student inclusion.
OHMI’s Music-Makers Whole Class Programme provides specialized support to ensure students with physical disabilities can engage fully in group music lessons. The organization utilizes a system to survey schools and identify students who may benefit from adapted instruments or equipment prior to lessons. This proactive approach helps to tailor resources to individual needs.
To facilitate this, OHMI delivers training and guidance on assessing student movement and instrument setup, which SIOW Music Service then implements with its staff and students. The program’s goal is to build a collection of adapted instruments, enabling all pupils to participate in music-making alongside their peers. One student’s initial difficulties in finding a suitable instrument highlighted the importance of this assessment process.
SIOW Music Service regularly reminds educators about available resources and support options at the beginning of each academic year. This ongoing dialogue allows OHMI to review equipment requests and suggest alternatives when appropriate, ensuring the best possible fit for each student’s needs.
For more information, visit musicmark.org.uk.