An important aspect of Best Practice in any situation is choosing the right tools for the job.  Over the past few years, I’ve been travelling around delivering accessible, participatory music projects in a range of Special Educational Needs and Disability Settings and I’ve been able to try out a number of different instruments and technologies.  Some have been brilliant, some flawed, but all of them have had something useful to offer when used in the right context.

However, in my travels, there have been two pieces of kit which have proved invaluable and which – when seen in action by staff – invariably invoke the reaction: “Wow – I want one of those!”

First up – Gripcase.

I love using iPads in SEND Music sessions.  They have many useful qualities (light, wireless, easy to use etc..) and a vast range of brilliant apps available.  However, they are a not inconsiderable financial investment and all too often can easily be involuntarily nudged from wheelchair trays or even deliberately thrown.  In any event, if you work with iPads it’s probably worth protecting your investment with a sturdy case.  I first came across the Gripcase at the BETT show. The Gripcase rep was demonstrating his product by simply throwing his iPad around and dropping it onto the hard floor!  I really like the Gripcase because:

• It’s made from a tactile, slightly rubbery material which absorbs the shock of impact.
• The handles enable the iPad to be easily grasped or secured in either portrait or landscape orientation.
• The shape ensures that, even if the iPad is dropped face down, the screen will never make contact with the floor.
• All the iPad controls remain accessible

Gripcase is available from iansyst on Amazon.