24th April 2026 • My Family Our Needs

A pioneering tool transforming music education for disabled children has been developed by the charity, The OHMI Trust.

The ground-breaking digital tool is helping to ensure that no child is left out of their music lessons, especially those with limb differences who may have been overlooked in the past.

The new tool, called OHMI Reveal, has been validated by researchers at Birmingham City University (BCU) and was created with the aim to change how schools identify and support children who need adapted instruments or different ways to take part in music.

OHMI Reveal is currently operating across nine music hubs and 377 schools. A recent evaluation by the Birmingham Music Education Research Group (B-MERG) at BCU has found that OHMI Reveal is ready to be rolled out across England.

Around 40% of schools identifying a child with physical needs are in the two most deprived areas, suggesting the tool is reaching those who need it most.

OHMI Reveal was also successful in understanding and uncovering access needs in all types of schools, challenging the assumption that physical disability is concentrated only in specialist settings.

Teachers and inclusion leads working with OHMI Reveal described a significant cultural shift in how music hubs approach inclusion, with staff more confident, proactive and equipped to identify and respond to children’s needs because of the tool.

One inclusion lead reflecting on the tool said, ‘It’s making us more aware of inclusion and making sure every child has the opportunity to learn alongside their peers.’

Professor Victoria Kinsella, Professor of Education at BCU, said, ‘We found that OHMI Reveal’s effectiveness depends on professional judgement, relational knowledge and pedagogical expertise, not just the tool itself.

‘The teachers and inclusion leads we interviewed described how some physical and sensory needs often emerge only through music-making itself and require interpretation, dialogue and adaptation beyond what can be captured through survey data.

‘It’s critical, therefore, that specialist expertise within music hubs is maintained, with peer-led professional learning fully supported.’

The tool is also proving that inclusion does not need to be expensive. The cost of adapted instruments and equipment identified as needed across all nine hubs came to just £2,346 in total, proving that removing barriers to music-making can be both achievable and affordable.

However, the research is clear that greater investment and a national commitment are now needed if the full potential of OHMI Reveal is to be realised.

The report from BCU calls on policymakers to resource and align systems so that every child identified received the adapted instruments and assessment they need from the very start of their musical journey.

Rachel Wolffsohn, OHMI General Manager, said, ‘As a small charity, this is not work that we can do alone.

‘It’s reassuring to know that the B-MERG findings affirm our view that OHMI Reveal has reached a level of maturity where its core principles, structures and use are transferable beyond the current cohort of music hubs. […]

‘In order to collectively implement this proven approach across all music hubs in the country, it will take both additional resources and funding.’

You can read the fully report from Birmingham City University here.

In other news, The Department for Education has announced that Councils will receive £860m to boost specialist places in mainstream schools, helping to expand their ability to support SEND provision.