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Even those of us who aren’t musicians know it’s tough to succeed in the music industry. We’ve all heard stories of talented folks who weren’t able to get a big break despite years—sometimes lifetimes—spent practicing, writing, recording, and hitting the road with a van full of gear that needed to be hauled up multiple flights of stairs before being set up on a stage. Now imagine doing all of that and living with a disability.

If that seems like quite a challenge, you can understand why, in 1996, two drummers living with disabilities founded the Disabled Drummers Association (DDA). The DDA strives to make the music industry more accessible (literally and figuratively) to musicians with disabilities and to eliminate stereotypes about musicians with disabilities by:

•    Launching educational campaigns
•    Lobbying manufacturers to produce adaptive equipment
•    Instructing and informing the drumming community of opportunities, events, alternative medical benefits, and technical tips
•    Assisting members in networking with others in the industry who have similar interests and face similar challenges so they can share experiences and solutions
•    Spreading the message of hope through music therapy
•    Conducting clinics and expos to raise public awareness and funds for programs.

“Our goal is to assist the drummer with disabilities in his or her career pursuit, to teach persons with disabilities to have fun with music, and through music therapy to help others to enjoy a better quality of life,” reads the Disabled Drummers Association (DDA) Web site. “Music creates focus of attention, memory skills, eye-hand coordination, and concept development. Range of motion is challenged and enhanced through the subtle action of playing the drums. It sparks creativity that can be carried over to other aspects of life, creating acceptance and higher self-esteem.”

One way the DDA achieves its goals is through gigs such as the ongoing one it holds at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL, on the last Sunday of every month. It’s then that the DDA takes over the Transitional Care Unit of the hospital and attempts to “give something back” to the disability community by using music to make sense of some of the emotions confronting people newly learning to live with disability. The group also organizes workshops and clinics aimed at persuading drum manufacturers to work hand in hand with drummers with disabilities, music stores, and related organizations to build adaptive equipment.

No one is too old or too young to help the DDA make a difference (though anyone interested and under the age of 18 needs permission from a parent or guardian to join). An annual membership donation of $20 covers the cost of printing newsletters and directories and sending them out to keep members up to date on the latest news concerning drummers with disabilities.

DDA members receive a Membership Card, a Member Directory, and quarterly newsletters. The newsletters feature member biographies, tech tips, industry information, and updates on clinics and drum happenings as well as words of inspiration.

For more information on the DDA, e-mail DDAFathertime@comcast.net.