"I Identify as Blind": Lachi on Disability Language, Identity, and Why Words Matter in Schools

Lachi is a distinguished figure in the music and media industries, known for her work as an award-winning recording artist, producer, and advocate. She has a dynamic career that includes a Grammy-nominated album, hosting the PBS series Renegades, and founding the organization RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). Lachi is also a national trustee of the Recording Academy and she identifies as blind and neurodivergent.

In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a profound conversation with the multitalented Lachi, who uses her platform to advocate for disability pride and accessibility in the music industry. The episode dives deep into how language shapes our understanding of disability, and why Lachi chooses to “identify as blind,” a declaration that challenges societal norms and sparks dialogue about the disabled community versus the disabled population.

Joining this dialogue, Lachi shares her experiences growing up with blindness and neurodivergence, highlighting how these challenges shaped her career as a musician and advocate. This episode is rich with insight into Lachi’s philosophy on inclusion and her journey to remove stigmas attached to disabilities. Her reflections on navigating the industry, establishing RAMPD to support disabled music professionals, and the importance of speaking to individuals with dignity and respect offer a thoughtful critique on how society views and engages with disability.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/i-identify-as-blind-lachi-on-disability-language-identity-and-why-words-matter-in-schools-1340/