Visual Disability and Blindness

For people who are blind or living with a visual disability, the potential benefits of music therapy are numerous and well documented in the clinical practice of music therapy and research. However, their music therapy access is still limited and variable, during their lifespan. Music therapists working with this clientele will often collaborate with other professionals.

WHY music therapy can help

Music therapy can help children, teenagers, adults and elderly who are blind or live with a visual disability in supporting them towards achieving therapeutic goals.

Music therapy can help this clientele to:

Promote sensory discovery and integration
Recognize, express and/or manage emotions
Promote fine and gross motor skills development
Improve self-esteem and self-confidence
Lower noise induced distress
Increase attention
Develop cognitive fonctions
Foster a secure child-parent attachment
Foster participation and arousal
Promote learning of daily activities
Increase communication skills
Provide opportunities for empowerment

HOW music therapy is used

A variety of music therapy interventions, methods and techniques can be used with this clientele. The methods chosen may be receptive, improvisational, compositional, or recreative.

Sessions can include:

Creation of motivating or calming playlists
Use of adapted music technology and instruments
Song choice, listening, singing and discussion
Singing and playing songs
Songwriting and composition
Body percussion
Music and movement experiences
Vocal and instrumental improvisation
Use of the vibration of the instruments
Involvement in a show or a concert.

Research and references

At the Institute, we believe sharing knowledge is a fundamental part of our role. Our Resources includes a growing list of research articles, presentations, videos and other documents, all dedicated to demonstrating how music therapy can positively impact this population and many others.

You will find these references, and more:

Scientific publication: Music Therapy Implications and Considerations for Individuals with Visual Impairments
General article: The Role of Songwriting in Accepting Visual Impairments
Video: Music therapy for students who are both deaf and blind truly works, teacher says
General article: Exploring music for students who are blind

To discover those references and other available sources of information, click here: Resources & references about Visual impairment