Dialogue on Disability: Celebrating Abilities

Since 2003 WXXI and the Al Sigl Community of Agencies have worked together with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community to help break the ingrained stereotypes about individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. The year-round project called MOVE TO INCLUDE, is designed to motivate individuals to take action and include more people with disabilities in the workplace, in schools, neighborhoods and in all aspects of society. Dialogue on Disability, a week-long spotlight initiative takes place every January, and is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation.

BSO Change Makers project creates the BSO Resound Orchestra

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM

Published January 11, 2023 at 3:17 PM EST

BSO Resoundis a professional disabled-led ensemble made up of musicians led by James Rose, BSO Change Maker and Conductor.

For years orchestras have fallen behind other organizations when it comes to inclusion of people with disabilities. But in 2018, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra championed the Social Model of Disability to lead the way in giving disabled musicians access to professional careers in music.

Musicians in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra say that there surely is more that can be done to ensure people with hearing impairments, physical differences and visual disabilities have access to professional music-making. BSO Resound is a disabled-led ensemble that works alongside the symphony orchestra.

Resound has made many high-profile appearances since being set up, and has released a set of business recommendations with the hope they can be understood and implemented by other orchestras, music organizations and businesses to champion the Social Model of Disability.

In 2019 BSO Resound was nominated for and won the Royal Philharmonic Society's Impact Award. BSO Resound is part of the BSO's Change Makers Programme, which promotes diversity and inclusion within the orchestra and wider society, continuing to make music accessible to the widest possible audiences.