Accessible Instrument Development Fund: Discover the creations of our 2025-26 grantees

A camera mounted on a tripod, pointing towards a person who is presenting an accessible instrument on stage. Behind them is a projector screen, which shows a close up of an instrument. To their right is a BSL interpreter.
Cheryl Hui presenting their accessible instrument at DMLab London

 

Last year, we launched an open call for two £1,000 seed funding grants to support the creation of new accessible musical instruments.

We received a wide range of applications, from solo innovators and collaborative teams to musicians, instrument makers, and developers – Disabled and Non-Disabled. After careful review, we selected projects from Cheryl Hui and Billy Payne that introduced creative approaches to meeting specific accessibility requirements.

Now, a year on, we’re very pleased to share the results in the form of two blog posts penned by Cheryl and Billy! We hope you enjoy following along with the progress and stories behind these new accessible instruments! 

View the blogs:

Sound of Joy Music System, by Cheryl Hui

Pentachord, by Billy Payne – coming soon!