Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Blind singer Lachi calls her colorful, bedazzled “glam cane” a statement and a tool. Also known as a white cane, it signals her right to move independently, helps her navigate, and often serves as a conversation starter on the road.
Her travel setup is specific and practical: screen reading on her phone, voice-activated apps at airports, and smart glasses. For each gig, she sends an accessibility document that outlines her disabilities and specific requests so routing and check-in aren’t improvised.
The story names highlights and gaps. St. Petersburg during the 2019 holidays felt welcoming and “like being in a live snow globe.” Denver appears in verified-inclusive lists. On tour in Peru, Lima was highly accessible while other cities were harder. She argues that “true accessibility” goes beyond being ADA compliant and should protect dignity, aesthetics, and agency.
Lachi rejects euphemisms like “differently abled” and calls out “handler’s syndrome,” when staff address a bystander instead of the traveler. She gives a gate example and adds, “If I needed help, I have no trouble charming you into buying me a whole drink first.” Her tips are concrete: build extra time, plan ahead, and assemble tools and gain skills that support independence. Always advocate for Accessibility!
Read the Full Article: Her bedazzled cane helps her travel the world (and spark change).
By: Kathleen Wong
