The Amber Trust is dedicated to giving blind and partially sighted children the best possible musical opportunities. Amber’s work is grounded in evidence-informed approaches to musical development for children with vision impairments, including those with additional differences and disabilities, and those with complex needs.
Children who are blind or who have very little sight experience the world primarily through auditory and tactile information. In music education, this means that touch can become an especially powerful and meaningful channel for demonstrating and scaffolding instrumental technique, supporting singing (for example, through awareness of breath and posture), and, for some children, communicating reassurance and emotional connection.
What we define as Positive Touch is the intentional, supportive and appropriate use of physical contact to facilitate learning, foster communication and, where appropriate, provide reassurance. Used sensitively and ethically, Positive Touch can be a crucial element in teaching blind and some partially sighted children.
The Amber Trust promotes positive, appropriate and reassuring touch between practitioners and blind children, or those with very little sight, during music teaching and music-service sessions. For some children – particularly those who are very young or who have additional disabilities – touch may be an essential part of communication and of building understanding of the world around them.
This guide is for teachers, practitioners and families. It outlines Amber’s approach to Positive Touch, tips and techniques, and information about safeguarding.
This guide is available to download as a pdf, and in word (suitable for screen readers) and large print versions.