The Qualities of Convivial Tools and Their Relevance to Music Software Accessibility

In this article, a thematic analysis of interviews with 20 visually impaired and blind (VIB) people working creatively with sound highlights three prevalent gaps that impact access to music software: gaps in technology, education and information. The authors highlight the pivotal role of online communities of VIB people in bridging these gaps. The authors argue that it is impossible to fully anticipate how an artefact will be used until it is, in fact, in use, and in order for a digital audio workstation (DAW) to reach its full potential regarding accessibility, it needs to be malleable, responding to the evolving requirements of interdependent communities of visually impaired and blind sound creatives (VIBSCs). Furthermore, the authors provide three guidelines for accessible music software design drawing on notions of convivial tools.