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Our great friend and supporter Polluted Axis is donating sales proceeds so the Access 2 Foundation can go on opening recording studios for musicians with disabilities around the world. We are thrilled and exceedingly grateful for his ongoing support and belief in our goals.
The foundation has already opened one fully accessible studio, and is fundraising for six more it plans to complete by mid-2012. All offer industry-standard recording equipment with a slight twist – instruments, microphones, computers and other systems will all be within easy reach for people in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities.
The world’s recording studios are not equipped with the needs of people with mobility problems in mind. Fixing this is not as simple as replacing steps with wheelchair ramps, because the recording equipment itself can be difficult to reach and operate, explains Access 2 Foundation founder Bobbi Style, of Vancouver, BC.
A UK pop star of the ‘80s and early ‘90s who has become an engineer, producer and record label owner, Bobbi has worked in recording studios across the globe and knows firsthand just how frustrating it can be to record if, like him, you use a wheelchair.
“The people at all the studios I’ve worked in have been very supportive, but quite often there are accessibility issues that are absolutely beyond their control,” he said. “You find that you can’t get over to the mixing desk, or to use the computer if you are in a wheelchair. These places just aren’t made to be accessible to us.”
“Staff, management and everyone concerned have always been excellent with me, but fixing access is not as simple as it sounds.”
To be accessible, a studio needs to be built from the ground up with height adjustable equipment, desk-tops someone can roll a wheelchair under and control interfaces that can be operated by people with limited dexterity.
Bobbi’s first fully-accessible studio is up and running in Vancouver, BC, and he’s going global with the assistance of friends and artists within the music industry.
Access 2 Foundation is on course to open many studios, starting in: Las Vegas, NV, in summer 2011; Nottingham, UK, Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY by fall 2011; Orange County, CA by January 2012 and Coquitlam, BC by May 2012.
The Las Vegas studio will be owned and run by The Cult’s amazing Lez Warner and his talented and supportive team.
“I am delighted and humbled by the contributions from my friends and colleagues within and around the music industry,” said Bobbi. “This project is a real passion of mine and everyone involved.”
“Each of these studios will provide support network for anybody who happens to be disabled and wants to express themselves through music – be it performance, production or access to music therapy. Music does heal.”
Access 2 Foundation has a truly global vision – but then music is a universal language.
More info: www.access2foundation.com