Singer Lachi's Bedazzled Cane: Breaking Stigmas

Blind singer Lachi, also known as Melissa Ulachi Ulanma Offoha, navigates her extensive travels with a vibrant, "glam cane." This stylish accessory not only aids her mobility but also serves as a conversation starter, offering opportunities to educate others about her vision impairment and disability culture. Lachi, who is progressively losing her sight due to colomba, uses her platform as a musician and author to challenge negative stereotypes about people with disabilities.

Her music, like the song "The Bag," debunks the myth that individuals with disabilities are always frail or tragic, highlighting their diverse roles as professionals and artists. Lachi's advocacy extends to redefining travel accessibility, stressing that it should extend beyond mere ADA compliance to include dignity and autonomy. She shared her experiences with accessible travel company Wheel the World, emphasizing that true inclusivity allows travelers with disabilities the same agency and spontaneity as others.

Despite strides in accessibility, Lachi notes persistent challenges, such as a lack of inclusive hotel rooms or varying accessibility standards even within countries. She relies on a combination of tools, including her cane, technology, and a sighted companion, to self-accommodate. Lachi's overarching message is that all individuals, including those with disabilities, desire the freedom to explore, connect with others, and create lasting memories with dignity and inclusion.