What do you think?
Rate this book
I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power
Recording artist and activist Lachi weaves together storytelling, style, and straight talk to redefine Disability as a cultural movement, creative force, empowering identity, and a blueprint for innovation—that you can’t afford to ignore.
Lachi is an award-winning musician and leader who awakens the world to this Disability has long shaped our culture and is an identity worth brazenly celebrating. In this book, Lachi welcomes listeners into the vibrant world of Disability Culture, centering identity, innovation, and unapologetic pride.
I Identify as Blind pulses with energy. Through magnetic storytelling, pop-culture deep dives, and historical insight, Lachi challenges mainstream views on disability with humor, heart, and high fashion. She reveals how the adaptability of visionaries with disabilities throughout the years have always driven progress.
The book features dynamic conversations with trailblazing figures like U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte, Microsoft executive Jenny Lay-Flurrie, and so many more. Lachi even takes listeners behind the scenes at Coldplay concerts, since after Chris Martin developed tinnitus, he transformed his concerts into some of the most accessible in the world. Each story reframes disability not as a deficit but as a wellspring of collective strength. And inventions created for people with disabilities benefit everyone—from audiobooks to curb cuts to the Internet. (Vint Cerf helped develop the first commercial email service, because he had trouble communicating by phone.)
With punchy humor and radical honesty, Lachi dismantles stereotypes and builds a new narrative of Disability identity. I Identify as Blind is an invitation to a cultural movement—welcoming everyone to celebrate Disability as a source of power and pride.
Come for the laughs, stay for the mic drops.
Lachi is an award-winning musician and leader who awakens the world to this Disability has long shaped our culture and is an identity worth brazenly celebrating. In this book, Lachi welcomes listeners into the vibrant world of Disability Culture, centering identity, innovation, and unapologetic pride.
I Identify as Blind pulses with energy. Through magnetic storytelling, pop-culture deep dives, and historical insight, Lachi challenges mainstream views on disability with humor, heart, and high fashion. She reveals how the adaptability of visionaries with disabilities throughout the years have always driven progress.
The book features dynamic conversations with trailblazing figures like U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte, Microsoft executive Jenny Lay-Flurrie, and so many more. Lachi even takes listeners behind the scenes at Coldplay concerts, since after Chris Martin developed tinnitus, he transformed his concerts into some of the most accessible in the world. Each story reframes disability not as a deficit but as a wellspring of collective strength. And inventions created for people with disabilities benefit everyone—from audiobooks to curb cuts to the Internet. (Vint Cerf helped develop the first commercial email service, because he had trouble communicating by phone.)
With punchy humor and radical honesty, Lachi dismantles stereotypes and builds a new narrative of Disability identity. I Identify as Blind is an invitation to a cultural movement—welcoming everyone to celebrate Disability as a source of power and pride.
Come for the laughs, stay for the mic drops.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published January 27, 2026
25 people are currently reading
2694 people want to read
About the author
M. Lachi
3 books62 followersLachi is a world touring recording artist, award winning music executive, Disability Culture champion, host of PBS series Renegades, Recording Academy National Trustee, and producer of a GRAMMY-Nominated album. Born legally blind, Lachi created the U.N.-recognized organization RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities), a consultancy group, collaborating on disability-inclusive solutions with the likes of Netflix, Live Nation and more, while bringing opportunities to its growing global network of professionals with disabilities.
Named a USA Today Woman of the Year, an ADCOLOR Innovator and included on both the Billboard Pride and Forbes Accessibility 100 lists, Lachi’s cultural activism has landed her spots on national ads and TEDx stages, discussions with the White House, NPR, and the BBC, and features in People, TIME Magazine, Good Morning America and the New York Times.
Named a USA Today Woman of the Year, an ADCOLOR Innovator and included on both the Billboard Pride and Forbes Accessibility 100 lists, Lachi’s cultural activism has landed her spots on national ads and TEDx stages, discussions with the White House, NPR, and the BBC, and features in People, TIME Magazine, Good Morning America and the New York Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 17, 2026
Oh this book is GOOD. Like, paradigm-shifting good.
Lachi, who as the title states identifies as blind, has given a fantastic overview of Disability Culture. She includes history, personal stories, scientific studies, and interviews, not to mention a ton of hilarity and heart.
This is a great book to read to learn more about disability and truly change your world view. It’s a must read right up there with Alice Wong’s (Rest in Power) Disability Visibility and My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny. Disability looks so different than what so many of us envision and books like these are invaluable teaching tools.
And let me tell y’all, pick up the audiobook on this one! Did you know that audiobooks were invented for folks with disabilities yet they benefit everyone! So celebrate this ingenuity by listening AND as a huge bonus you get to hear Lachi’s gorgeous narration.
Lachi, who as the title states identifies as blind, has given a fantastic overview of Disability Culture. She includes history, personal stories, scientific studies, and interviews, not to mention a ton of hilarity and heart.
This is a great book to read to learn more about disability and truly change your world view. It’s a must read right up there with Alice Wong’s (Rest in Power) Disability Visibility and My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny. Disability looks so different than what so many of us envision and books like these are invaluable teaching tools.
And let me tell y’all, pick up the audiobook on this one! Did you know that audiobooks were invented for folks with disabilities yet they benefit everyone! So celebrate this ingenuity by listening AND as a huge bonus you get to hear Lachi’s gorgeous narration.
August 3, 2025
This book is not just about Lachi's journey as a blind individual; it's also about the challenges of living with a disability. It shows so much disability culture throughout the years. In this book Lachi shares some humor, heart, high fashion, and everything else. Also, there’s mention of other disabled individuals. It’s a good read, especially for those living with a disability.
February 10, 2026
“Many assume blindness is a man with dark glasses, a dog, and a piano, who sees only black, but blindness is also six very different, very confident women owning a rooftop bar while swilling very spiked, very smuggled-in orange juice.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was released in the US on January 27, 2026 by Tiny Reparations.
In I Identify as Blind, Lachi approaches disability as an identity shaped by language, access, and power, rather than as a condition to be explained or overcome. The essays resonate most when Lachi writes from the ground of her own life. The opening essay on resisting tokenization while sometimes leveraging visibility sets the tone for a collection invested in tension rather than purity. Her insistence on saying “I identify as blind” as a statement of identity rather than condition anchors the book’s central theme: disability is not incidental, and refusing to name it only deepens erasure. Moments like her account of navigating eighty-five blocks of New York City after waking up fully blind foreground adaptability as a practiced skill rather than a feel-good metaphor, and they are among the most compelling passages.
Lachi’s conversational tone, threaded with pop culture references and humor, makes dense conversations about ableism, stigma, and access approachable. She is especially effective when unpacking language, calling out euphemisms that sanitize disability while reinforcing shame, and reframing success as something achieved despite inaccessibility rather than impairment. Her discussions of representation, inspiration porn, and disabled agency in media are clear-eyed and grounded, particularly when she names how often disabled stories are filtered through nondisabled creators. The sections on disability culture, interdependence, and universal design further reinforce her argument that disabled people have long shaped the world the rest of us take for granted.
That said, the book’s tone and assumed audience did not consistently work for me. Lachi states early on that the book is for nondisabled readers, people new to disability identity, and disabled veterans, and I struggled to feel that framing throughout the book. References to figures like Yuval Noah Harari, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Gates landed as credibility shortcuts that clashed with my politics rather than deepening the analysis. The chapter positioning access to disability-friendly products as a growth opportunity for brands and corporations veered uncomfortably close to pro-capitalist logic, which undercut the book’s sharper critiques of ableism elsewhere.
This is a book I respect more than I loved. It offers accessible entry points into disability identity and culture, and it will likely resonate most with readers newer to these conversations. For those already steeped in disability justice frameworks, parts of it may feel misaligned, but Lachi’s insistence on pride, clarity, and naming stigma head-on still makes this a meaningful contribution to disability literature.
📖 Read this if you love: Disability memoirs that center identity rather than inspiration, accessible introductions to disability culture and language, pop-culture cultural critique, or books that foreground lived disability experience.
🔑 Key Themes: Disability as Identity Rather Than Deficit; Stigma, Shame, and Internalized Ableism; Language Politics and the Rejection of Euphemism; Representation and Misrepresentation in Media; Disability Culture as Collective Rather Than Individual.
Content / Trigger Warnings: Ableism (severe), Suicide (minor), Racism (moderate), Eugenics (moderate), Homophobia (moderate).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was released in the US on January 27, 2026 by Tiny Reparations.
In I Identify as Blind, Lachi approaches disability as an identity shaped by language, access, and power, rather than as a condition to be explained or overcome. The essays resonate most when Lachi writes from the ground of her own life. The opening essay on resisting tokenization while sometimes leveraging visibility sets the tone for a collection invested in tension rather than purity. Her insistence on saying “I identify as blind” as a statement of identity rather than condition anchors the book’s central theme: disability is not incidental, and refusing to name it only deepens erasure. Moments like her account of navigating eighty-five blocks of New York City after waking up fully blind foreground adaptability as a practiced skill rather than a feel-good metaphor, and they are among the most compelling passages.
Lachi’s conversational tone, threaded with pop culture references and humor, makes dense conversations about ableism, stigma, and access approachable. She is especially effective when unpacking language, calling out euphemisms that sanitize disability while reinforcing shame, and reframing success as something achieved despite inaccessibility rather than impairment. Her discussions of representation, inspiration porn, and disabled agency in media are clear-eyed and grounded, particularly when she names how often disabled stories are filtered through nondisabled creators. The sections on disability culture, interdependence, and universal design further reinforce her argument that disabled people have long shaped the world the rest of us take for granted.
That said, the book’s tone and assumed audience did not consistently work for me. Lachi states early on that the book is for nondisabled readers, people new to disability identity, and disabled veterans, and I struggled to feel that framing throughout the book. References to figures like Yuval Noah Harari, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Gates landed as credibility shortcuts that clashed with my politics rather than deepening the analysis. The chapter positioning access to disability-friendly products as a growth opportunity for brands and corporations veered uncomfortably close to pro-capitalist logic, which undercut the book’s sharper critiques of ableism elsewhere.
This is a book I respect more than I loved. It offers accessible entry points into disability identity and culture, and it will likely resonate most with readers newer to these conversations. For those already steeped in disability justice frameworks, parts of it may feel misaligned, but Lachi’s insistence on pride, clarity, and naming stigma head-on still makes this a meaningful contribution to disability literature.
📖 Read this if you love: Disability memoirs that center identity rather than inspiration, accessible introductions to disability culture and language, pop-culture cultural critique, or books that foreground lived disability experience.
🔑 Key Themes: Disability as Identity Rather Than Deficit; Stigma, Shame, and Internalized Ableism; Language Politics and the Rejection of Euphemism; Representation and Misrepresentation in Media; Disability Culture as Collective Rather Than Individual.
Content / Trigger Warnings: Ableism (severe), Suicide (minor), Racism (moderate), Eugenics (moderate), Homophobia (moderate).
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
From the beginning, ‘I Identify as Blind’ grabs you by the collar and demands you pay attention. Musician Lachi (with whom I had not been familiar) notes, ‘Casual conversations about ethnic identity, gender identity, and even sexual preference are far more commonplace than those about disability. That’s because the average Betty equates disability with charity, pity, or some form of compliance that nobody got time for.’
Well, make time for this book—which is neither asking for charity, nor pitiful, nor demanding anything not deserved. Lachi ferociously attacks society’s attitudes about disability, its barriers, its misconceptions. Yes, she is doing just fine; y’all are the ones who need the adjustment. (Don’t worry—she goes into depth about how to do that too.)
Along the way, Lachi (‘like Versace’) name drops celebrities past and present who you may not know live(d) with disabilities, along with plenty of people you may not know (yet). I feel this makes her message even more effective: These are people we know through their art (mostly), and so respecting them includes respecting people who may not be as visible but who still share the same disability.
(One thing Lachi says that I keep thinking about is in regard to my pet peeve of saying somebody ‘overcame’ their disability. She says you don’t overcome a disability; you overcome the stigma. And your own insecurities, which of course are born from that stigma. Similarly, of course—and this cannot be done enough—Lachi attacks the disability-inspo complex, from Very Important Major Motion Pictures to social media content creators. Who benefits, really?)
Taking a deep dive into intersectionality, Lachi further show us how things mix up. The result is as vibrant—and as challenging to master—as one of her blinged-out canes. She also shares how she learned not only to publicly admit but eventually celebrate her capital-D Disabled identity, then turned to activism in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, notably promoting accessibility in the recording industry. But when she’s not doing that—and sometimes when she does—Lachi embraces the rest of her human experience with gusto, enjoying in a big way fashion, sex, and partying with friends.
‘I Identify as Blind’ is the disability narrative I’ve been waiting for: brash, unapologetic, exuberant, and accessibly appealing to a general audience. Tons of thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC. Now go get your own copy.
Well, make time for this book—which is neither asking for charity, nor pitiful, nor demanding anything not deserved. Lachi ferociously attacks society’s attitudes about disability, its barriers, its misconceptions. Yes, she is doing just fine; y’all are the ones who need the adjustment. (Don’t worry—she goes into depth about how to do that too.)
Along the way, Lachi (‘like Versace’) name drops celebrities past and present who you may not know live(d) with disabilities, along with plenty of people you may not know (yet). I feel this makes her message even more effective: These are people we know through their art (mostly), and so respecting them includes respecting people who may not be as visible but who still share the same disability.
(One thing Lachi says that I keep thinking about is in regard to my pet peeve of saying somebody ‘overcame’ their disability. She says you don’t overcome a disability; you overcome the stigma. And your own insecurities, which of course are born from that stigma. Similarly, of course—and this cannot be done enough—Lachi attacks the disability-inspo complex, from Very Important Major Motion Pictures to social media content creators. Who benefits, really?)
Taking a deep dive into intersectionality, Lachi further show us how things mix up. The result is as vibrant—and as challenging to master—as one of her blinged-out canes. She also shares how she learned not only to publicly admit but eventually celebrate her capital-D Disabled identity, then turned to activism in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, notably promoting accessibility in the recording industry. But when she’s not doing that—and sometimes when she does—Lachi embraces the rest of her human experience with gusto, enjoying in a big way fashion, sex, and partying with friends.
‘I Identify as Blind’ is the disability narrative I’ve been waiting for: brash, unapologetic, exuberant, and accessibly appealing to a general audience. Tons of thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC. Now go get your own copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My 2025 reading journey winds down with Lachi's powerful and invigorating "I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power."
Lachi, for those who don't know (and I certainly do), is a musician, activist, and cultural force who boldly and brazenly (and accurately) redefines disability as a cultural movement that shouldn't and can't be ignored. Disability is an empowering identity that contributes to making the world a better place to live for everyone.
"I Identify as Blind" is an invitation into this world of disability culture. While it's far from all-inclusive, "I Identify as Blind" vibrates with Lachi's spirited, often funny, and radically honest storytelling that challenges stereotypes, ableism, cultural barriers and a whole lot more. However, Lachi takes it a step further by introducing us to several of Disability Culture's trailblazing voices including folks like Tammy Duckworth, Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte, Microsoft's Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge's Nic Novicki (also a darn fine actor/stand-up comic), Judy Heumann, and a myriad of others including allies like Coldplay's Chris Martin who took his own experiences after developing tinnitus and began making Coldplay concerts some of the most accessible concerts by any artist.
While all of this could be a downer, Lachi has an infectious spirit and writes with humor, heart, incredible insight, and the kind of magnetism that draws you in and doesn't let you go.
As a longtime disability activist, film journalist, and storyteller myself, I felt swept up by Lachi's writing and enthralled by this spirit, identity, and energy. In a world that can often portray disability as something to hide, far too much of a burden, and something "less than," Lachi invites us into changing the narrative internally and externally.
As the book's description states so accurately - "Come for the laughs, stay for the mic drops."
Lachi, for those who don't know (and I certainly do), is a musician, activist, and cultural force who boldly and brazenly (and accurately) redefines disability as a cultural movement that shouldn't and can't be ignored. Disability is an empowering identity that contributes to making the world a better place to live for everyone.
"I Identify as Blind" is an invitation into this world of disability culture. While it's far from all-inclusive, "I Identify as Blind" vibrates with Lachi's spirited, often funny, and radically honest storytelling that challenges stereotypes, ableism, cultural barriers and a whole lot more. However, Lachi takes it a step further by introducing us to several of Disability Culture's trailblazing voices including folks like Tammy Duckworth, Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte, Microsoft's Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge's Nic Novicki (also a darn fine actor/stand-up comic), Judy Heumann, and a myriad of others including allies like Coldplay's Chris Martin who took his own experiences after developing tinnitus and began making Coldplay concerts some of the most accessible concerts by any artist.
While all of this could be a downer, Lachi has an infectious spirit and writes with humor, heart, incredible insight, and the kind of magnetism that draws you in and doesn't let you go.
As a longtime disability activist, film journalist, and storyteller myself, I felt swept up by Lachi's writing and enthralled by this spirit, identity, and energy. In a world that can often portray disability as something to hide, far too much of a burden, and something "less than," Lachi invites us into changing the narrative internally and externally.
As the book's description states so accurately - "Come for the laughs, stay for the mic drops."
January 23, 2026
(3.25 rounded down) I’ll be honest in that I personally didn’t enjoy most of this book; it was a challenging read for me. I don’t typically care about celebrities, nor do I keep up to date on most pop culture, so a majority of the references and name drops were lost on me. Additionally, reading about politics and laws is a struggle for me. For personal enjoyment alone, I would give this a 1.5-2 star rating.
However, without knowing anything about the author prior to reading her partial memoir, I whole-heartedly believe she is someone who deserves to be famous, as she’s using her fame to educated and advocate for the disabled, LGBTQ+, and colored communities. Her positive energy radiates through the pages and kept me engaged enough to finish. For her voice, passion, and advocacy, I’d give this a 5 star.
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books for a physical ARC!
However, without knowing anything about the author prior to reading her partial memoir, I whole-heartedly believe she is someone who deserves to be famous, as she’s using her fame to educated and advocate for the disabled, LGBTQ+, and colored communities. Her positive energy radiates through the pages and kept me engaged enough to finish. For her voice, passion, and advocacy, I’d give this a 5 star.
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books for a physical ARC!
November 25, 2025
I won a copy of "I Identify As Blind" on Goodreads First Reads. This is a wonderfully written book...and as a person who identifies as autistic and as a redhead, which are two vilified identities, I understand and can relate. I also am very shy, which, in itself, is completely misunderstood. Lachi's way with words and how she tells her story is wonderful. I wish that I could explain myself in the clear and beautiful way that she does. Be you, Lachi, and to hell with anyone that has a problem with that.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a modern disability masterpiece and a future classic recommendation with intersectional disability studies. This is a book I’ve been searching for and am glad to have this given as an EPUB advance copy from NetGalley, Lachi, Dutton, and Tiny Reparations books- thank you btw.
This was fantastic and a fantastic intersectional read with grit and modern discussions for a modern day disability landscape.
I honestly can’t recommend this enough, and my stand out favorite may have came early in the year.
This was fantastic and a fantastic intersectional read with grit and modern discussions for a modern day disability landscape.
I honestly can’t recommend this enough, and my stand out favorite may have came early in the year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a treat! This bold, funny, and informative memoir is a perfect read for anyone interested in Disability rights. (Which should be everyone, because as Lachi says, we'll all either be disabled or love someone disabled someday!) Lachi has built such an impressive career as a musician, entrepreneur, and Disability rights activist, and I absolutely loved hearing her story.
February 19, 2026
Such a fun and insightful read! Lachi invites everyone to consider how their identity intersects with disability in I IDENTIFY AS BLIND. Using her humor, charm, and pop culture knowledge, Lachi breaks down big ideas, historical events, disability theory, and policy issues in the most approachable and entertaining way. Everyone has something to learn from this book!
Read
December 12, 2025I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power (Hardcover)
by Lachi
A personal story of the struggles of misconceptions of kind minded individuals. The idea that a blind person is incapable of self reliance, self sufficiency, and self advocacy.
by Lachi
A personal story of the struggles of misconceptions of kind minded individuals. The idea that a blind person is incapable of self reliance, self sufficiency, and self advocacy.
December 2, 2025
Representation matters, which is what makes this book such an important read. As a special ed teacher I see all sides of disability. I will be recommending this book to others.
January 28, 2026
5⭐️
Probably a soft 5 stars. There were some aspects I didn’t like, but when it was good, it was really good
Probably a soft 5 stars. There were some aspects I didn’t like, but when it was good, it was really good
January 29, 2026
DNF at 5%. Author went on about how their “ocd” helps them finish projects. Not at all representative of the actual disorder
February 5, 2026
This is a very joyful book on disability, and on how we all will eventually come to identify with some sort of disability due to illness, accident, or age.
Read
February 21, 2026I won this book via Shelf Awareness Pro giveaway for an early ARC of I Identify as Blind by Lach and Nicole Jarvis who is the Associate Director of Marketing, Dutton, Plume, Tiny Reparations Books mailed it to me.
I am donating it to a local Little Free Library.
I am donating it to a local Little Free Library.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews