Introduction

The ‘Sounds of Intent’ research project was set up in 2002 jointly by the Royal National Institute of the Blind and the Institute of Education, University of London.

It grew out of earlier research undertaken by the same team which examined the provision of music in special schools in England.

The aim of Sounds of Intent is to investigate and promote the musical development of children and young people with severe, or profound and multiple learning difficulties (‘SLD’ or ‘PMLD’).

External funding was provided for the initial PROMISE survey by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (1999-2000). Subsequently, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funded the main fieldwork phase for the Sounds of Intent project (2005-2007). Additional funding has been made available by the Amber Trust and RNIB (2007-2008) to extend the website in order to enable colleagues in special schools improved access to the approach.