Exploring Inclusive Therapeutic Soundscapes

Alexandra Kaley, Chris Hatton, Christine Milligan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Whilst the majority of research in the field of acoustics has sought to explore the detrimental effects of noisy environments on people’s health, the geographic literature on sound has begun to take a more holistic approach by considering how environmental sounds affect people in different ways. Reflecting on findings from visual ethnographic research, this chapter explores the soundscape experiences of people with intellectual disabilities engaged in community farming projects for health and wellbeing. We argue that these experiences could be alluring or repelling, therapeutic or harmful depending on the meanings that people attached to them. We compare the soundscapes of the farm environment with other spaces and places that participants inhabit and argue that genuinely inclusive environments may be those that seek to facilitate (rather than repress or judge) the various auditory needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. This reveals how different soundscapes are shaped by relations of power, and influence judgements of sonic intrusion or harmony.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSounding Places
Subtitle of host publicationMore-Than-Representational Geographies of Sound and Music
EditorsKarolina Doughty, Michelle Duffy, Theresa Harada
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Chapter3
Pages21-36
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9781788118934
ISBN (Print)9781788118927
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jul 2019

Cite this