We are dedicated to transforming music education for disabled children and young people in Kenya—and beyond—by developing and distributing inclusive, low-cost digital music technologies.
We believe that every child, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to learn, create, and thrive through music. We advocate for a future where music education is inclusive by design, where disability is no barrier to creativity, and where every child can experience the joy and empowerment of making music. We design, support, and implement accessible music education solutions that remove barriers to participation. Building on the success of the JoyInst digital score system, our foundation develops innovative tools—such as adaptive game-controller instruments and gamified learning software—that allow disabled students to actively engage in music-making and theory.
In many parts of the world, disabled children are excluded from music education due to
inaccessible instruments, limited funding, and a lack of inclusive pedagogies. JoyInst challenges this
inequality by offering scalable, engaging, and dignified solutions that foster musical skill, confidence, and
community.
Our Goals:
Acessibility: Provide affordable and adaptable digital instruments to schools and communities with limited resources.
Inclusion: Integrate disabled students into mainstream music education by offering tools that support equal participation and recognition.
Education: Train educators to use inclusive technologies and support holistic music learning—combining performance, theory, and creativity.
Innovation: Continue research and development in inclusive music technology tailored to local cultural and educational contexts.
Advocacy: Promote the rights of disabled children to equal educational opportunities and creative expression.
What is JoyInst?
JoyInst is a digital music education platform developed to promote inclusive music learning for disabled children in Kenya.
It combines a digital score system, a learning game, and low-cost, accessible instrument interfaces (such as gaming controllers) to remove common barriers disabled students face in traditional music education.
Key Features:
- Uses game controllers (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox) as low-cost, accessible musical instruments.
- Two main modes:
- Open Play: for creative music-making with selectable instruments.
- Learning Game: a progressive, gamified learning path teaching music theory and performance.
- Customisable and adaptable, catering to a wide range of physical and cognitive needs.
- Embedded music theory to support national curriculum learning and skill development.
Purpose:
- To bridge the gap in access to music education for disabled children who are often excluded due to traditional instruments, methods, and expectations.
- To integrate learning and performance, fostering holistic musicianship (reading, hearing, and performing music).
Impact:
- Successfully piloted at SA Joytown Secondary School, where students quickly engaged in musical exercises, ensemble playing, and exam preparation.
- Recognised by educators as more engaging than traditional instruments and a transformational tool for inclusive and mainstream music education in Kenya.
In essence, JoyInst is an innovative, low-cost, and inclusive digital tool that reimagines
music education
for all learners, starting with those most excluded.
JoyInst isn’t just an app: it’s a movement. By blending gaming, education, and accessibility, we can redefine music learning for every child, everywhere.