The VOiCE LAB: Voicing, Finding Voice, Giving Voice to Artists (and Others) with Vocal Challenges

How are art practices and digital technology useful for people with complex vocal disabilities to achieve creative outcomes, support communication and augment agency? In this research, we seek to address a gap in existing vocal research in Canada by expanding the science / medical model to support aesthetic creation / art making – i.e. encouraging self-expression in excess of mere necessity, rehabilitation and therapy, for passionate, creative individuals who are vocally challenged. This qualitative, community-based project, situated within a new VOICE LAB, will use art practices and digital technology to support, augment, and project voice, build community and enhance awareness. Using Emancipatory Disability Research and Arts-based Emergent Research, this qualitative person-centered project will: 1) take a community-based, participatory methodological approach in design, recruitment, interviewing, and analysis; and 2) will continually and rigorously question quantitative data-based assumptions through exploratory art practice to create new ways of knowing.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kathleen Irwin;Randy Johner

Student:

Partner:

Astonished!

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Regina

Program: