Individuals with mental disabilities and other adaptive needs may benefit from music education throughout their lives. These individuals are commonly perceived as having decreased autonomy, relatedness, and competence: the three factors contributing to psychological well-being according to self-determination theory (SDT). In this study, we initiated a choral experience with a school for young adults with disabilities. We share findings from conducting autonomy-focused activities embedded in the choral rehearsal. Students and staff in this study share unique outcomes, including the power of decision-making and the importance of leadership and representation.
Bailey et al. (Fri,) studied this question.