Harmonizing Abilities: Collaborative Digital Musical Instruments for Students with Complex Disabilities Using the Some for Many Strategy

In our case study, we propose a 'Some for Many' design approach for digital musical instruments (DMIs) in special educational needs (SEN) schools that addresses the challenges of designing for and with students with complex disabilities and non-verbal communication. We outline the development and evaluation of several DMIs based on typical everyday interactions. Our findings suggest that the approach is likely to promote active music-making and inclusion and potentially contributes to a change in peers' perceptions of students with complex disabilities in a positive way.