Jay Pocknell

Founder

Sound Without Sight

About Me

Jay is a mixing and mastering engineer, producer, and guitarist. He is also partially sighted, making him a prime contact for matters relating to music and visual accessibility.

Jay is founder and Project Manager of Sound Without Sight, a community-driven online hub that connects blind and partially sighted musicians to resources, opportunities, and support. Sound Without Sight advocates for improved accessibility within music and audio hardware and software. The project recently launched user testing initiative to provide product developers with a mechanism to gain real-life accessibility feedback.

He is also Music Support Officer at RNIB - the Royal National Institute of Blind People - where he is tasked with improving access to music-making for blind and partially sighted people.

Jay is a graduate of the Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) course at the University of Surrey and is credited on several top-10 releases including a UK Number 1 album. He has a proven track record of working with emerging independent artists to help them obtain their first radio plays.

Sessions

  • Accessibility in Audio Meet-up

    Connect with MASSIG and Sound Without Sight
    15:50 - 16:30 UTC | Wednesday 11th November 2026 | Bristol 1

    As audio production techniques and technologies evolve, so too must the ways we think about accessibility. To ensure all musicians can use the tools available, it is essential that access is evaluated throughout their design, not as an add-on or afterthought. This meet-up seeks to bring together developers with an interest in accessibility, musicians with disabilities, and organisations driving change in the audio and music industries. Join us live on the final day of ADC26 to hear accessibility highlights from across the event. Meet members of Sound Without Sight and the MIDI Association’s Music Accessibility Special Interest Group for an […]

  • Accessibility in Audio Meet-up

    Connect with Sound Without Sight and Drake Music
    16:40 - 17:30 UTC | Friday 16th October 2026 | ADCx Gather
    Beginner
    Intermediate
    Advanced
    Online Only

    As audio production techniques and technologies evolve, so too must the ways we think about accessibility. To ensure all musicians can use the tools available, it is essential that access is evaluated throughout their design, not as an add-on or afterthought. This meet-up seeks to bring together developers with an interest in accessibility, musicians with disabilities, and organisations driving change in the audio and music industries. Get a sneak peek at some of the plans for accessibility at ADC26 and meet representatives from Sound Without Sight and Drake Music. Join us in the Sound Without Sight space, situated in the George […]

  • Interactive Panel: Accessible Audio Technology
    14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Monday 9th November 2026 | Empire
    Beginner
    Intermediate
    Advanced
    In-Person Only

    This session features a series of lightning talks, showcasing the latest developments within accessible audio technology. It will feature presentations from organisations and developers leading the field in inclusive design practices. Each half of the afternoon includes Q&A with the speakers from that half. This is your chance to steer the conversation on all things accessibility and get your questions answered! Schedule Welcome & intro 14:00-14:10 (10 mins) Jay Pocknell The Social Model of Disability 14:10-14:20 (10 mins) John Kelly and Tim Yates The Social Model of Disability has transformed how disability is defined and understood. It was born out […]

  • Accessibility in Audio Meet-up

    Connect with MASSIG and Sound Without Sight
    15:50 - 16:15 UTC | Wednesday 12th November 2025 | Bristol 3
    Beginner
    Intermediate
    Advanced
    Online Only

    As audio production techniques and technologies evolve, so too must the ways we think about accessibility. To ensure all musicians can use the tools available, it is essential that access is evaluated throughout their design, not as an add-on or afterthought. This meet-up seeks to bring together developers with an interest in accessibility, musicians with disabilities, and organisations driving change in the audio and music industries. Join us live on the final day of ADC25 to hear accessibility highlights from across the event. Meet members of Sound Without Sight and the MIDI Association’s Music Accessibility Special Interest Group for an […]

  • Accessibility in Audio Meetup

    Connect with MASSIG and Sound Without Sight
    17:00 - 17:40 UTC | Friday 26th September 2025 | ADCx Gather
    Online Only

    As audio production techniques and technologies evolve, so too must the ways we think about accessibility. To ensure all musicians can use the tools available, it is essential that access is evaluated throughout their design, not as an add-on or afterthought. This meetup seeks to bring together developers with an interest in accessibility, musicians with disabilities, and organisations driving change in the audio and music industries. Get a sneak peek at some of the plans for accessibility at ADC25 and meet members of the MIDI Association’s Music Accessibility Special Interest Group and Sound Without Sight - an online community of […]

  • Workshop 5: Interactive Panel: Accessibility in Audio Tech
    13:30 - 17:00 UTC | Monday 10th November 2025 | Bristol 3
    Beginner
    Intermediate
    Advanced

    As audio production techniques and technologies evolve, so too must the ways we think about accessibility. To improve inclusion in music-making, it is essential that access is evaluated throughout the design of audio technology, not as an add-on or afterthought. Building on ADC24’s ‘Inclusive Design in Audio Products: Why, Why, How?’ workshop, this symposium comprises a series of sessions that will unpick the systematic barriers to accessibility within audio, and highlight solutions that you can embed into your projects.  Throughout the afternoon, disabled musicians, accessibility consultants, and representatives from organisations driving change will share insights into the opportunities for a […]