AT for Musical Instruments

[Karen Ozmun]

Recently, we received information from the Amend Music Center in Spokane,
Washington about AT which allows people who have "lost the use of a hand
to be able to play a musical instrument that would normally require the
use of several or all of their fingers."  The device can be adapted for
someone who may have lost fingers or their entire hand, or the use of
their fingers/hand.

The device is called The Amend MIAD (musical instrument actuating device).
"It performs all the individual functions that a hand can perform and can
change to up to eight separate conbinations of functions.  MIAD can change
combinations more quickly than a full set of fingers with just small
movements of a single appendage."  "It is important to know that the Amend
MIAD is a very sensitive device in that the movements required to maneuver
the actuating connector are quite small and, with practice, can allow the
player to play just as fast a [sic] person with a full set of fingers."

If you would like more information about the MIAD, you may contact:

Amend Music Center
1305 W. 14th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99204
509-456-0376

Also, they note:

"We are currently in the process of expanding the usages of the device and
trying to find new ways to adapt it to a wider variety of disabilities.
We also believe taht a device like the Amend MIAD could be useful to
school districts with disabled individuals wanting to become involved with
school band."


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Karen Ozmun
A. T. Resource Center, Box 357920
Seattle, WA 98195-7920
206/685-4181 V      800/841-8345 V/TTY
206/616-1396 TTY    206/543-4779 FAX
karenoz at u.washington.edu
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