suggestion of new features for dyslexic people
Estimeed Music Score,
> I'm Carmelo Farinella, an Italian music teacher. I'm an expert in Specific Learning Disabilities and I published a book about Music and SLD (Musica a scuola e disturbi specifici dell'apprendimento-http://www.artestampaweb.it/scheda&id=297).
> In a part of my book I analyze the potential of musical softwares as far as SLD is concerned.
> I'd suggest to you the opportunity to create a new essential software or to increase Music Score features, able to allow some devices for dyslexic students or musicians (as coloured notes, warning signs, etc...) when they write music, able to avoid the crowding effect. It would be useful for everybody.
> I could suggest you the features that a new software would have.
> I thank you for attention.
> Carmelo Farinella"
carmelofarinella@hotmail.com
Comments
What are these features?
consider that:
the notes may already be colored;
in a score may be included images;
it is possible to insert text or frames (contain text or pictures).
In short, some utilities are already present in MuseScore, others can be implemented with plugins.
Provide more details and, in the meantime, buon lavoro, Franz.
In reply to Ciao Carmelo by Shoichi
Ciao Franz,
my studies about an ideal software for dyslexics is recent, so quite updated. We know that we can solve some limits utilizing many expedients, for example a graphics program allows to introduce all we need in scores, but it isn't the issue: according to me, the first feature of a support are facility and efficiency, as far as the access of users is concerned (ONU Convention).
If you are a software developer, we can find the structure of an available software for people with SLD, starting from all the features I identified and reflecting together.
I thank you again for your interest,
Carmelo
In reply to Grazie per la risposta by Carmelo Farinella
Salve Carmelo (e salve Franz, naturalmente!),
I can only speak for myself, but my impression is that accessibility and support for disabilities is a rather relevant and important area in Musescore develoment, see the recent launch of an initiative to support Braille music.
The first concern is timing: do you have a specific time frame (for instance, to meet funding requirements) ?
Currently, MuseScore development is headed to release version 2.0 and it is then focused on fixing bugs and increasing reliability. New features come a distant second in the priority scale and only if simple (little chance of disturbing existing code) and completing something existing. This for the near future (hard to say how long, several months for sure).
In the meantime, an assessment of how SLD requirements for 'printed' music apply to Musescore (what is already there, what should be changed, what should be added) could be useful for:
1) Establishing guidelines for the use of MuseScore as it is now (as Franz said, some support might be already present or added independently via plugins)
2) Getting a clear(er) idea of the effort needed to cover SDL requirements more extensively
3) And, why not, looking for funding this line of development if it turns out to be extensive ('general' MuseScore development resources cannot be distracted too much or for too long).
So, I would say that putting together a draft of the assessment described above could be a first, useful, step (I can lend a hand, if you want).
M.
P.S.: are you a relative of Calogero Farinella, the organist?
In reply to Salve Carmelo (e salve Franz, by Miwarre
Hello Miwarre,
I seem to have understood that you're an Italian software developer, aren't you?
I could sent to you the part of my book where I treet the topic. Otherwise, I need time to translate that part.
I'd prefer to send the chapter by email.
This is mine: carmelofarinella@hotmail.com
Regards
In reply to Hello Miwarre, I seem to have by Carmelo Farinella
..e "c'è posta per te" (dal mio indirizzo 'ufficiale' mmg at vistamaresoft).
M.
Thank you for suggesting this Carmelo.
The MuseScore development team is very committed to making MuseScore suitable for special needs, as the recent initiative to include Braille shows, but we really need more information.
Would you be able to provide us with a summary of your work in English which addresses the main points required for an application to be SLD friendly?
In reply to Thank you for suggesting this by ChurchOrganist
Hello! As I said I'd prefer to turn a part of my book by an email adress; it is only for press rights.
I need time to do it in english, because in this period I'm very busy.
I thank you for the interest.
Regards,
C F