Musician decides
Instrument, repertoire preference, whether to perform, how to communicate, when to stop, what support may be shared and who may speak for them.
Support-person standard
SUPPORT THE MUSICIAN. DO NOT REPLACE THEM.
Some players arrive with a caregiver, DSP, family member, interpreter, communication partner or trusted support person. That can be what makes serious participation possible. ANCHOR needs a role standard so support increases autonomy instead of turning the musician into a passenger in their own rehearsal.
Support person assists
Communication access, transport, physical setup, regulation, medication or personal-support tasks within their actual role and consent.
Instructor teaches
The instructor addresses the musician directly, teaches the musical task and uses the support partner as a resource—not as the default audience.
Venue accommodates
If a support person needs backstage or event access, the advance should make that operational rather than leaving it to a door volunteer.
Privacy stays narrow
Share what staff need to act safely. Do not turn the whole ensemble into an audience for somebody’s medical or behavioral history.
Exit remains available
A support plan should include how the musician can reduce participation or leave without the moment becoming a public confrontation.
High support needs should trigger more planning, not automatic exclusion.
Program implementation
Not every group can safely support every need on day one.
ANCHOR should be explicit about staffing, medical boundaries, supervision and emergency capacity for each activity. If one performance configuration cannot safely provide the needed support, the answer should be another supported route where practical—not a conclusion that the person does not belong in music.