https://www.iesbvi.org/shedding-light-on-low-vision-clinics/
Contact IESBVI low vision clinics coordinator
Schools served by IESBVI often ask Brandon Schellhorn, IESBVI’s low vision clinics coordinator, about music accessibility. He approaches the query from least restrictive (changing distance or position of music) and progresses accordingly. He might recommend large print music books or electronic music.
There a number of devices which help students in music class, such as a control which can be worn on a finger to change pages of an electronic music score displayed on an iPad. Foot pedals also turn pages. Electronic magnification apps for the iPads not only enlarge scores, but allow annotation on the score, just like sighted peers might make notes in pencil on paper scores. Such apps might also invert the screen, so a music score is white on a black background for more contrast.
“If electronic music still is not accessible, that’s when I recommend using braille music,” Schellhorn said.
Students using braille music memorize the notes and symbols. The pace of classroom instruction makes it extremely challenging during class for a student to find their place on the braille music score, then to have correct fingering on the instrument. Instead, students practice and memorize the music.
“A student who uses braille music has to be motivated to learn and disciplined to practice,” said Schellhorn.