Appendix_Promoting participation and success for children with Cerebral Palsy in Arts Education Programmes of Music

This qualitative study, developed in collaboration with the Cerebral Palsy Association (CPA) and a Technology and Communication Resource Center (CRTIC), examined the challenges and opportunities for including children with cerebral palsy (CP) in music education in Portuguese Art Schools. The project team conducted in-depth interviews with a total of 14 parents of children with CP and 14 music professionals who have direct experience working with children with special educational needs in various educational settings. The findings point to persistent barriers to meaningful musical participation, including limited teacher preparation, restricted access to accessible instruments and assistive technologies, shortages of human resources, and weak interdisciplinary coordination. Although Portugal has an established legislative framework for inclusive education (Decree-Law No. 54/2018; Decree-Law No. 55/2018), the data reveal a clear gap between policy and everyday practice. Parents highlighted the need for support staff and adapted resources, while music professionals reported limited methodological knowledge but described creative strategies to enable participation. Both groups converged on four priorities: strengthened teacher training, improved access to accessible musical instruments and technologies, more effective coordination between education and health services, and public policies that better translate rights into practical conditions. Content analysis using WebQDA identified successful strategies such as adapting activities to individual learners, fostering creativity, and applying person-centred design principles to assistive technologies. Overall, the study underscores the value of student-centred pedagogical approaches that prioritize meaningful participation and engagement over conventional performance outcomes and technical mastery and offers important directions and practical recommendations for advancing inclusive music education practices for children with CP in Portugal and beyond.