Abstract
Disabled music therapists and students often face marginalization within a profession shaped by a “deficit-saturated” zeitgeist (Shaw et al., 2022). Little is known about how disabled identities are engaged in music therapy classrooms and workplaces. What is known emerges primarily from lived experience research and critical disability studies.
This roundtable brings together four music therapy educators committed to anti-ableist pedagogy and dismantling ableist structures in the profession. Together, they explore themes central to a cultural shift in music therapy, including persistent myths that reinforce ableist teaching practices; the fear of confronting our own complicity in ableist systems; harmful narratives and tropes surrounding disability; geopolitical threats to people experiencing illness and disability; institutional constraints on accommodating disabled learners; and strategies for navigating these challenges in diverse educational and clinical settings.
The discussion highlights the transformative potential of critical disability methodology and how embracing anti-ableist practices can enrich both the discipline and the profession of music therapy.
Bruce, C. Performing Normal: Restless Reflections on Music’s Dis/Abling Potential, Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 40, Issue 2, Fall 2022, Pages 125–131, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miab015
Pickard, B. (2022). Anti-oppressive pedagogy as an opportunity for consciousness raising in the music therapy profession: A critical disability studies perspective. British Journal of Music therapy. Vol 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/13594575221078582
Shaw, Carolyn (2019). Developing post-ableist music therapy: An autoethnography exploring the counterpoint of a therapist experiencing illness/disability. Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. Thesis. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17136605.v1
Shaw, C; Churchill, V.; Curtain, S.; Davies, A. ; Davis, B. Kalenderidis, Z.; Langlois Hunt, E.; McKenzie, B. Murray, M.; Thompson, G. Lived Experience Perspectives on Ableism Within and Beyond Music Therapists’ Professional Identities, Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 40, Issue 2, Fall 2022, Pages 143–151, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miac001
This roundtable brings together four music therapy educators committed to anti-ableist pedagogy and dismantling ableist structures in the profession. Together, they explore themes central to a cultural shift in music therapy, including persistent myths that reinforce ableist teaching practices; the fear of confronting our own complicity in ableist systems; harmful narratives and tropes surrounding disability; geopolitical threats to people experiencing illness and disability; institutional constraints on accommodating disabled learners; and strategies for navigating these challenges in diverse educational and clinical settings.
The discussion highlights the transformative potential of critical disability methodology and how embracing anti-ableist practices can enrich both the discipline and the profession of music therapy.
Bruce, C. Performing Normal: Restless Reflections on Music’s Dis/Abling Potential, Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 40, Issue 2, Fall 2022, Pages 125–131, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miab015
Pickard, B. (2022). Anti-oppressive pedagogy as an opportunity for consciousness raising in the music therapy profession: A critical disability studies perspective. British Journal of Music therapy. Vol 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/13594575221078582
Shaw, Carolyn (2019). Developing post-ableist music therapy: An autoethnography exploring the counterpoint of a therapist experiencing illness/disability. Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. Thesis. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17136605.v1
Shaw, C; Churchill, V.; Curtain, S.; Davies, A. ; Davis, B. Kalenderidis, Z.; Langlois Hunt, E.; McKenzie, B. Murray, M.; Thompson, G. Lived Experience Perspectives on Ableism Within and Beyond Music Therapists’ Professional Identities, Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 40, Issue 2, Fall 2022, Pages 143–151, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miac001
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 29 Sept 2025 |
| Event | 18th World Congress of Music Therapy: Connecting Borders: Creating Networks and Enhancing Identities Through Music Therapy - Bologna, Italy Duration: 8 Jul 2026 → 12 Jul 2026 https://wcmt2026.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 18th World Congress of Music Therapy |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Bologna |
| Period | 8/07/26 → 12/07/26 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- disabled identities
- anti ableism
- music therapy education
- music therapy
- disability studies