The Practitioners’ Guide to Accessible Music Education: Perspectives from Educators, Administrators, and Special Service Providers

Written by music educators, music teacher educators, therapists, administrators, and specialists, this groundbreaking resource challenges established norms and transforms how we support students with disabilities in music education, offering immediately applicable strategies in clear, engaging language that speaks directly to your teaching experience. From Universal Design for Learning's evolution to justice-centered classroom management approaches, the contributors provide comprehensive coverage of IDEA disability categories alongside practical wisdom on accommodations and modifications.

The contributors of this book guide the reader in discovering the crucial distinctions between music therapy and music education while exploring how social-emotional learning integrates with musical instruction. The contributors invite you to transform your approach to inclusive music education with insights organized into six practical sections―covering everything from foundational knowledge to specialized strategies for effective lesson planning, paraprofessional collaboration, and IEP navigation. Uniquely, this comprehensive resource also addresses the needs of neurodivergent music educators themselves through insider perspectives and collegial guidance―a viewpoint absent from the existing literature.

Whether you're crafting accessible lessons, advocating for students with disabilities, or seeking fresh approaches to inclusive teaching, this essential companion equips you with strategies to create meaningful musical experiences where every student can shine and grow. Music educators, PK-12 administrators, students in music degree programs, or individuals using music within therapeutic settings will find this book beneficial in their work with children.

Dr. Rachel Grimsby joined James Madison University as an Assistant Professor of Music Education in the School of Music in 2023. She has over 15 years of experience teaching elementary general, choral, and early childhood music. Her research interests center on teaching music to students with disabilities, preparing preservice music educators to teach music to students with disabilities, ethics of research with children and adolescents with disabilities, and the connection between language acquisition and music.

P. Eric Bottorff, EdD, teaches kindergarten through fourth-grade music in Southeast Michigan and is a lecturer of education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His 15+ years of music teaching has encompassed all grades from pre-kindergarten through university, including general music, band, orchestra, and choir. His research interests include educational structures (such as advisory) to support all students and educators across various expressions of need.

Meagan Grammatico, MM, MT-BC, is currently in her 12th year as an elementary music teacher in Metro Detroit and her 8th year as a board-certified music therapist. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with children of all abilities, ranging from newborns to young adults up to 26 years old. She is deeply passionate about teaching music to students with disabilities and integrating social-emotional learning into her music classroom.