This presentation by Joseph Butch Rovan took place during the IRCAM Forum Workshops in Paris in March 2024.
For this project, Joseph Butch Rovan works together with a visually impaired composer. He addresses the issue that existing tools for electronic composing using interactive technologies such as Max/MSP present a barrier to visually impaired composers. While graphical patching software aims to make it easier for the user, they create obstacles for blind people and makes it even more user-unfriendly for them. In this presentation, Rovan, introduces an interface and Max programming environment specifically crafted to be fully accessible to visually impaired composers.
While working with the composer, he realized that screen reading is absolutely no help when it comes to complex audio programming software. Also, interfaces with symmetric buttons are not optimal for visually impaired people, as they have to count in order to know the location of their hand. His interface is crafted towards blind people, it is equipped with tactile and audio feedback.
It has different types of pots, like buttons, switches and dials, which are easy to differentiate. Potentiometers are in specific groups to make them easier to locate. The interface works with audio feedback, which can be put on a different channel for personal feedback or can be turned off. With the audio feedback, the user can go through menus before working with the pots.
This project enables visually impaired people to work with electronic music composition in a way that they can access tools that sighted people use on a regular basis.
The composer Rovan worked with, successfully held a concert with this tool using her own presets and voice.
This system not only helps blind artists but also opens new creative avenues for sighted composers.
