Tim Burgess

Raised Bar

About Me

Tim played in a number of local bands in the 1980s and also did a little session work as a keyboard
player. He lost his sight in his early 20s so sold his gear thinking that his days as a musician were over.
After attending a rehabilitation course that taught him white-cane mobility, Braille and touch-typing,
he worked for Coventry Council’s Social Services department for a couple of years before studying
computer science at BTEC then degree level. After graduation he worked as a product trainer and
script developer for an IBM Special Needs Services agency, supporting IBM’s DOS and OS/2’s Screen
Reader products. He moved to Microsoft in 1995 as a support technician, followed by a role in another
accessibility consultancy where he developed and trained on workplace solutions for visually-impaired
people. A chance encounter with Jackie Clifton from the Royal College of Music led to him forming
his own company, Raised Bar, in 2006 with the aim of providing advice, consultancy, and
development services based around accessibility in general, but with a strong emphasis on music-
related accessibility issues.

Sessions

  • 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 […]

  • Workshop: Inclusive Design within Audio Products

    What, Why, How?
    14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Monday 11th November 2024 | Empire
    Beginner
    Intermediate
    Advanced

    Following the success of last year’s ‘An Introduction to Inclusive Design of Audio Products’, we are delighted to be presenting a follow up this year. The session will promote the work happening across the audio industry to support accessibility and inclusive design. We will focus on providing practical design principles for attendees to take away, backed up by engaging lived experience insights and demonstrations. In particular, we will showcase the practices of two companies who have been making big waves within accessible music in the last year: Ableton and Arcana Instruments. Jay Pocknell and Tim Yates will be exploring how […]