RAMPD
| Formation | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Promoting inclusion |
| Headquarters | New York, New York |
Founder | Lachi |
| Website | Official site |
Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) is a platform that partners with music and live entertainment entities, firms, and organizations on programming, opportunities, and resources to empower its global network of working music creators and professionals who identify as having a disability, neurodivergence, or other chronic conditions. RAMPD was founded in 2021.[1] RAMPD is best known for its efforts working to make the Grammy Awards more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities.[2]
History
[edit]RAMPD was founded in May 2021, by recording artist Lachi after a public talk between The Recording Academy and several disabled artists revealed there was a serious lack of visibility, access, and representation for professional disabled artists.[3] Lachi was joined by violinist and songwriter Gaelynn Lea, and other established disabled music professionals, to officially launch RAMPD in January 2022.[4]
RAMPD has since partnered or collaborated with prominent music and entertainment organizations, including Live Nation, American Association of Independent Music, The Recording Academy, Netflix, NIVA, and others to help train and bring disability awareness through panels, programs, and publications.[5] RAMPD empowers its creators through songwriting mentorship programs, songwriting retreats, development opportunities, and upscale industry mixers geared towards integration, like RAMPD's DisCo House parties (Disability Community House).[6]
Mission
[edit]RAMPD's mission is to amplify disability culture, promote disability inclusion, and advocate for safe accommodating spaces in the music industry while working towards career authority and financial freedom for music professionals with disabilities. RAMPD defines disability culture as a celebration of the vast diversity of the disability experience and includes the worldviews, perspectives, contributions, art, words, and music of the disability community.[7]
Notable work
[edit]RAMPD has partnered with the Recording Academy to bring accessibility to the Grammy Awards ceremony since 2022. The global awards show possessed a visibly ramped dais, American Sign Language on the red carpet, and live caption and Audio description for home viewers.[8][9]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nightlife Culture Awards | Social Justice | Won |
| 2022 | Susan M Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame | Honoree | Won |
| 2022 | American Association of Independent Music's Libera Awards | Humanitarian Award | Nominated |
| 2022 | IBC Awards | Diversity and Inclusion Award | Shortlisted |
| 2023 | The Zero Project Award | Innovative Solution | Won |
| 2023 | International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences Anthem Award | Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community Engagement Platform | Won |
| 2023 | Music Business Association Bizzy Award | Agent of Change | Won |
| 2023 | Synergies Work EDDIE Award | Creative Entrepreneurship | Won |
| 2023 | Harlem Festival of Culture | Black Independence Award | Nominated |
| 2023 | Black Ambition Prize | Black-owned Entrepreneurship | Shortlisted |
| 2024 | ADCOLOR | Innovator Award | Won |
| 2025 | Inc. | Female Founders 500 | Won |
| 2025 | Billboard | Pride List | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ Chris Eggertsen (January 21, 2021). "Music Professionals With Disabilities Have New Champion in Advocacy Organization RAMPD". Billboard
- ^ Grammys (July 29, 2021). "5 Ways The Music Industry Can Support Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities". Grammy.com
- ^ Accessible Festivals (January 27, 2022). "Fiscal Sponsor Spotlight". Accessible Festivals
- ^ Laura Zernosa (January 20, 2021). "A New Coalition Amplifies Disability Culture in the Music Industry". The New York Times
- ^ Jeroslyn Johnson (January 26, 2022). "Meet Lachi, The Blind Founder of The New Disability Advocacy Group for The Music Industry". Black Enterprise
- ^ Kirsten Chuba (January 27, 2025). "Grammys 2025: The Complete Guide to Parties and Events". Hollywood Reporter
- ^ RAMPD "Disability Culture"
- ^ Keely Cat Wells (April 7, 2022). "How The Grammys Got Accessibility Right, And What They Could Have Done Better - An Interview With Lachi". Forbes
- ^ Abbey White (February 6, 2023). "How the Recording Academy, RAMPD Expanded Accessibility and Disability Inclusion for the Grammys’ L.A. Return". The Hollywood Reporter