Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) is a platform connecting the music industry to disability-inclusive tools, programs, resources and a global network of peer-vetted music creators and professionals who identify as having a disability, Neurodiversity and other Chronic conditions 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]

Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD)
Formation2021
PurposePromoting inclusion
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Founder
Lachi
WebsiteOfficial site

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 Folk Alliance International, American Association of Independent Music, The Recording Academy, NIVA and others to help bring awareness and accessibility through panel discussions, programming and publications.[5]

Mission

edit

RAMPD's mission is to amplify disability culture, promote disability inclusion and advocate for accessibility in the music industry. 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.[6]

Notable work

edit

RAMPD partnered with the Recording Academy to bring accessibility to the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony on April 3, 2022, and the 65th Annual Grammy Awards on February 6, 2023. 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.[7][8]

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

References

edit
edit