The College of Fine Arts and the Treistman Center for New Media are pleased to announce Full Spectrum, a new research facility for developing musical interfaces and tools for the blind. This facility will also assist in creating career opportunities not previously possible for the blind musicians. Initial funding has established an environment to develop new tools for sound recording and editing that are accessible to blind recording producers. This environment also provides the necessary infrastructure for future funded projects. The facility is located adjacent to a professional recording studio environment maintained by the School of Music and Dance and is connected via conduit to the studio complex. It supports not only training of blind audio engineers but also full access to "real world" musical tools.
The American With Disabilities Act (ADA) provides greater access to education, employment and social interaction for individuals with disabilities. It established a mandate to give full functionality in society to people with disabilities. High technology tools can be a major factor in providing such access. In the fine arts, however, technology has not been adequately researched and developed to provide appropriative creative environments.
Audio engineering and production by blind musicians has been virtually ignored in the past. Recording studios and editing equipment are rarely ADA compliant. Many talented individuals do not have access to proper audio tools simply because they are blind. Visual interfaces keep talented blind musicians from participating in audio careers.
Full spectrum was established at the College of Fine Arts with two goals in mind:
- To provide blind musicians with access and training using appropriate high technology tools.
- To develop new hardware and software tools that use aural and tactile feedback to provide useful and user-friendly interfaces for blind musicians.
To receive further information regarding Full Spectrum, contact Dr. J. Timothy Kolosick (kolosick@u.arizona.edu) or Wiley Ross (ross@u.arizona.edu).
