Since the dawn of creation music has reached from the core of the human experience. We are melodic story tellers from birth! Whether it is a message of hope, love, character statements, social and/or political commentary, life changes, or even the expressing of emphatic grief and protest; music is the transcendent language of the human soul.
So what about the music of dis/ability?! For many disabled individuals, finding one’s voice or ability to express what is truly happening below the surfaces of personal challenges & socially oppressive ableism is not always easy. A loving, caring, accepting, patient, and listening community is definitely a key ingredient in hearing the intrinsic musical notes of the disabled soul.
But throughout history, technology has been a life altering experience for both disabled people and the world around them. Stephen Hawking radically evolved our understanding of intelligence and the universe around us with his use of his ACAT (Assistive Context-Aware Toolkit) to communicate his rapidly expanding imagination around blackholes and his Theory of Everything. And who can forget the hundreds of viral videos that reveal the surprise and joy of baby’s and their family’s after hearing the world around them for the first time, thanks to the development of the cochlear implant. And of course, the unforgettable, Cody Lee.
So what will happen now in the disabled world as AI has arrived on the stage?
Journeying across the countryside and to close-knit communities, Bruce Callow has been guiding elders and others on the margins in turning their life stories into music with the help of an AI program called Suno. Participants learn to set up a free account and begin a new creative practice—remixing the sound bites of their realities into expressive songs that share their experiences with the world. And now it is Calgary’s turn with the focus on disability!
I am excited to invite you to a live workshop hosted by the Well Dwellers community and Bruce Callow at the Calgary Central Public Library on November 18th, 2026 from 2 PM to 4 PM!
There is only 6 spots available. So please sign up soon!!
We are planning for an afternoon of fun, music, food, and drink as we create and find remixing disability realities is both rewarding and transforming.
If participants can prepare in writing or can think of a short story from their life that they might like to share beforehand, it can be a great time to get to know others and discover a new tool in expressing our struggles, hopes, joys, and passions to the greater community around us.
We ask for a donation of $5 or more to go towards Bruce Callow’s work and future Well Dweller community events.
“Disabled voices are not a whisper from the margins; they are the chorus calling the world to justice.”
— Nancy Eiesland, theologian, The Disabled God (1994)
