Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) is a platform that partners with music and 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.Chris Eggertsen (January 21, 2021). "Music Professionals With Disabilities Have New Champion in Advocacy Organization RAMPD". Billboard RAMPD is best known for its efforts working to make the Grammy Awards more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities.Grammys (July 29, 2021). "5 Ways The Music Industry Can Support Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities". Grammy.com
History 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.Accessible Festivals (January 27, 2022). "Fiscal Sponsor Spotlight". Accessible Festivals Lachi was joined by violinist and songwriter Gaelynn Lea, and other established disabled music professionals, to officially launch RAMPD in January 2022.Laura Zernosa (January 20, 2021). "A New Coalition Amplifies Disability Culture in the Music Industry". The New York Times
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.Jeroslyn Johnson (January 26, 2022). "Meet Lachi, The Blind Founder of The New Disability Advocacy Group for The Music Industry". Black Enterprise 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).Kirsten Chuba (January 27, 2025). "Grammys 2025: The Complete Guide to Parties and Events". Hollywood Reporter Mission 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.RAMPD "Disability Culture"
Notable work 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.Keely Cat Wells (April 7, 2022). "How The Grammys Got Accessibility Right, And What They Could Have Done Better - An Interview With Lachi". ForbesAbbey White (February 6, 2023). "How the Recording Academy, RAMPD Expanded Accessibility and Disability Inclusion for the Grammys’ L.A. Return". The Hollywood Reporter
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2022 Nightlife Culture Awards Social Justice 2022 Susan M Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Honoree 2022 American Association of Independent Music's Libera Awards Humanitarian Award 2022 IBC Awards Diversity and Inclusion Award 2023 The Zero Project Award Innovative Solution 2023 International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences Anthem Award Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community Engagement Platform 2023 Music Business Association Bizzy Award Agent of Change 2023 Synergies Work EDDIE Award Creative Entrepreneurship 2023 Harlem Festival of Culture Black Independence Award 2023 Black Ambition Prize Black-owned Entrepreneurship 2024 ADCOLOR Innovator Award 2025 Inc. Female Founders 500 2025 Billboard Pride List
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