Accessible software, music and education
I'm a blind software developer and music educator. I build tools that work for blind people, because I use them every day.
About me
I'm based in Burlington, Ontario. I'm a qualified music teacher, and I build software with screen reader users in mind from the first line of code.
I spent nearly ten years studying in Wales at Bangor University, where I earned a Bachelor of Music, did postgraduate study in music and education, and finished my PGCE, the UK teaching qualification. Now I'm back home in Ontario, teaching and building.
Most of my work happens where music, teaching and technology meet. I've helped blind and low vision students learn to record and produce music with screen readers. I've run online music sessions for blind and partially sighted young people. I also develop software that lets blind pilots fly in flight simulators.
What I'm building
A new way to learn braille music
In development
Braille music is how blind musicians read and write music. Few people can teach it, and good learning materials are hard to find. I'm building a web-based way to learn it: read braille music on your braille display, hear it played back, and practise at your own pace.
It's for blind learners, and for the teachers, parents and musicians learning alongside them.
Recent work
MSFS Blind Assist
Current
I contribute to MSFS Blind Assist, a free and open source app that lets blind and visually impaired pilots fly Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 with a keyboard and screen reader. It gives access to cockpit panels and flight computers, turn-by-turn taxi guidance, and landing guidance tones for a growing list of airliners. The source code is on GitHub.
Talking Flight Monitor
October 2025 to September 2026
For a year I was the second developer on Talking Flight Monitor, a C# application that lets blind and low vision people fly detailed aircraft in flight simulators with the same depth as sighted simmers. I worked across the codebase, including its architecture and logging, and supported the project's community of beta testers.
More of my code is on GitHub.
Work with me
I take on a small number of projects alongside teaching.
Software design and development
Websites, applications and tools that are accessible from the start, not patched up afterwards.
Accessibility testing and advice
I'll test your website or app the way blind people use it, with a real screen reader and braille display. You'll get clear, practical fixes.
Accessible music technology
Training and workshops for schools, teachers and musicians on making and teaching music with screen readers, including the Reaper digital audio workstation.
Contact
I'd love to hear from you, whether you have a project in mind, a question about accessibility, or an interest in braille music.
Email: daniel@danielwolak.ca
GitHub: github.com/danielw97