2025 Grammys Made Record Use Of Sign Language Interpreters Thanks To Accessibility Advocate Lachi And RAMPD

The 67th Grammy Awards held earlier this month set a record for celebrity use of sign language interpreters on the red carpet, thanks to the work of RAMPD — Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities.

Sign language interpreters have become more common on red carpets in recent years, with stars including Olivia Rodrigo and Cynthia Erivo receiving praise for bringing interpreters to events. At the Grammy Awards, held on Feb. 2 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the numerous sign language interpreters weren’t hired by celebrities from Paris Hilton to Cynthia Erivo, they were there because of RAMPD’s advocacy in partnership with ProBono ASL, a sign language company founded by Rorri Burton.

For the first time, sign language was provided not only on the red carpet but also in the media center and the premiere ceremony, which were broadcast live on GRAMMY.coms pre-show coverage.

Lachi, an award-winning recording artist and cultural activist who is also legally blind, founded RAMPD in 2021, and in 2022 RAMPD began working with the Recording Academy to create a more disability-inclusive industry and Grammy Awards. That includes not just sign language interpreters, but also ramps for the red carpet and dais, live captioning, and audio description. RAMPD also works to implement sign language at major music stages, and even to make ticketing more accessible.

Lachi, who also serves as a New York Chapter Grammys Board Governor, was seen beaming in a blue gown on the red carpet at this year’s ceremony.

Considered the go-to voice on disability inclusion in the music industry, Lachi has been named a USA Today Woman of the Year, and has been featured in numerous publications. In October last year, Lachi served as host of the PBS American Masters digital series “Renegades,” which explores the cultural contributions of Americans with disabilities.