When Ears Become Eyes - Fakhry Muhammad Rosa and His Love for Music and the Art of Audio Editing

He has met others too---visually impaired individuals who have carved out their own creative spaces in home recording studios, working with software like Reaper that is equipped with screen reader add-ons, which open doors for them.

Fakhry's optimism aligns with the perspective of Loes Van Dam, a Psychology Lecturer at the University of Essex, whose thoughts were published in The Conversation. According to TheConversation.com, the heightened auditory senses of the visually impaired are a profound advantage in this field. In the absence of sight, the brain repurposes the visual cortex, honing it to respond more vividly to information from other senses, especially sound. This adaptation grants the visually impaired a unique prowess in auditory tasks, from discerning the subtle nuances of sound to pinpointing its source and direction.

In addition to being a self-taught musician and audio editor, Fakhry has been a client of the Yayasan Mitra Netra since 2002. Over the years, he has felt countless benefits from being part of this community. "It is wonderful. To me, Mitra Netra is like a nurturing space, a place where I can grow and flourish. It is one of the places that has taught me so much," he remarks. To him, Mitra Netra does not merely help hone his skills; it is a gateway, inviting him to new encounters, discoveries yet unknown, and to the boundless wonder of learning.

In 2023, Fakhry took part in a podcast training program designed for the visually impaired. This initiative---a collaboration between Universitas Multimedia Nusantara and Yayasan Mitra Netra---aimed to enhance the participation of visually impaired individuals in society, inviting their voices into the world of podcasting. The training was part of the Community Service Program supported by the Directorate General of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. Due to its success, the program is being held again in 2024, allowing even more participants to gain valuable skills in audio production. This year holds a special significance for Fakhry, as he has become one of the training mentors in audio editing in this program. Kelvin Ronaldo, one of the participants whose work was edited by Fakhry, expressed his appreciation for Fakhry's expertise. 'In my opinion, the editing done by Kak Fakhry is excellent, really good. The results were exactly what I expected. Truly impressive,' Kelvin said enthusiastically." Fakhry hopes that in the future, more comprehensive audio training programs will be offered, focusing on advanced techniques such as mixing and mastering. "I would love to learn more about mixing and mastering someday, to truly explore the essence of audio production," Fakhry says, his voice alight with hope.

Fakhry also hopes his friends at Mitra Netra will embrace the same passionate curiosity that drives him to explore audio editing. "I hope my friends at Mitra Netra will immerse themselves more deeply in the world of audio editing. I am confident that in the future, audio editing could become a promising career path," he remarks with a heart full of optimism. In his view, the more visually impaired individuals learn about audio editing, the greater the likelihood that application developers will begin to prioritize accessibility in their products. "If more people delve into it, it will definitely be more exciting. Perhaps one day, developers will start prioritizing accessibility, knowing there are many users," he adds.

Accessibility is inseparable from the support of society for those who are visually impaired. Fakhry emphasizes the importance of this support, especially in the workplace. "Sometimes people hesitate, questioning whether those who are visually impaired are truly capable. But really, all we need is a chance to show what we can do," he asserts. For Fakhry, sincere support and active involvement hold far greater weight than mere curiosity or sympathy.

Beyond his love for music and the art of audio editing, Fakhry channels his creativity into his YouTube channel, Fakhry Muhammad Rosa, where he weaves thoughtful reviews of gadgets and apps with a special focus on accessibility for the visually impaired. From popular platforms like Tokopedia and Grab to the latest smartphones and technological innovations, his insights bridge the gap between innovation and inclusivity.

Fakhry's channel is not solely a haven for tech enthusiasts. It is also a stage for his passion as a musician. He often shares recordings of his band's performances. For Fakhry, performing is more than a pastime. It is a testament to his boundless spirit and a reminder that true creativity and productivity rise beyond the boundaries of limitation.

Authors: Ryan Chen, Keira Putri Minerva, and Athaya Hana Mumtaza (Students of Digital Journalism, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara)