Evaluating musical dis/abilities: operationalizing the capability approach

Abstract

We use this paper to suggest the use of Sen’s capability approach in interpreting disability. The substantive focus is our evaluation of the Drake Music Project, which uses electronic and computer technologies to enable severely disabled people to explore, compose and perform music. We consider how the process of making music enables the musicians to develop and express their sense of self. Using the capability approach as the analytic framework of this evaluation, we consider the ramifications and relevance to disability research of the capability approach. This paper therefore contributes to the literature on disability and the construction (including deconstruction and reconstruction) of identities.

Notes

1. Functionings, according to Sen’s definition, are valuable beings and doings; and to describe ‘valuable functionings’ is, therefore, tautological. However, the term is frequently used (both here and in other literature—including Sen’s) to further set functionings apart from other ways of living that are not considered valuable.