Lachi Brings Disability Representation Into Classrooms With Free Magnificent Curriculum From Cel’s The Nora Project

Launch coincides with October 27 performance at The Dot Experience pre-opening ceremony and October 28 panel at the Virginia Chance School in Louisville

October 26, 2026 - Today, award-winning recording artist and disability culture advocate Lachi spotlights the free Magnificent curriculum created in partnership with CEL's The Nora Project , bringing her acclaimed debut children's music album into K-5 classrooms nationwide. The resource pairs songs with lessons that help students explore disability and neurodiversity, celebrate difference, and build a sense of belonging.

Explore and download the free curriculum HERE.

The curriculum includes 11 lessons-an introduction and one for each of the album's 10 songs-with educator guidance, classroom slide decks, student activity pages and lyric videos. Lessons explore disability identity, communication, self-expression and access, with adaptations for students' ages and individual needs.

In "Fidget," students explore how their bodies respond to movement and sensory tools. "Soy Diferente" uses a yarn-web activity to demonstrate how people support one another, while "Barriers for Breakfast" invites students to identify accessibility barriers and propose solutions. Additional resources include a family handout and materials for open houses and back-to-school presentations.

"I made Magnificent because I wanted children to hear the disabled and neurodivergent voices I wish I'd had at that age," says Lachi. "While I want kids to be able to recognize themselves in the music, bringing these songs into classrooms gives them another way to internalize these messages, explore who they are, understand one another, and celebrate the differences they encounter every day with curiosity, compassion, and confidence."

"Magnificent, paired with companion lessons from CEL's The Nora Project, invites students to explore disability as a natural part of human diversity through movement and song, building empathy, confidence, and belonging," says Jordyn Zimmerman, Manager of Education Products and Program Development for CEL's The Nora Project. "Developed by educators with and without disabilities and members of the disability community, the lessons can be used across morning meetings, enrichment blocks, or music class, opening conversations with educators and families that help shape more inclusive classroom communities."

The curriculum has reached educators, parents and disability advocates in 88 ZIP codes. While CEL programs currently reach eight states, downloads have extended its educational reach to 26 states, including New York and Kentucky.

The announcement coincides with two Louisville appearances. On October 27, Lachi will perform at The Dot Experience at American Printing House 's pre-opening ceremony, playing a baby grand piano used by Stevie Wonder during his childhood at the Michigan School for the Blind. On October 28, she will visit Virginia Chance School and share a conversation with young students about identity, kindness, inclusion, and belonging ahead of The Dot Experience's grand opening.

Several Kentucky attractions with national and international reach will make the curriculum available through their digital resource pages, including The Muhammad Ali Center and The Dot Experience at American Printing House will share it at TheDotExperience.org , helping more educators and communities discover the free materials.

"Lachi's Magnificent and its companion curriculum from CEL's The Nora Project amplify an important message: every voice, every difference, and every way of being is something to celebrate," says Joanna E. Haas, COO at APH . "This work reflects The Dot Experience's intent to make the world more welcoming for all. We join the Muhammad Ali Center in celebrating it, learning from its impact, and exploring ways to make it more accessible and available across even more communities."

Described as "music that assumes they already belong," ( Forbes ), Magnificent was released July 10 through Platoon Kids , and brings together more than 70 collaborators , many with lived experience of disability and neurodivergence. The 10-song pop and hip-hop album features Lisa Loeb, Mega Ran, Matthew Whitaker, and Raul Midón , with production contributions from Lucy Kalantari and Andrew & Polly .

For Lachi, a blind Nigerian-American artist who grew up with vision loss and ADHD, the album reflects the music she wished she had heard as a child. Its songs explore confidence, identity, and different ways of communicating. Among them is "Emoji of a Heart," co-written with Deaf performer Wawa Snipe and non-speaking poet Lateef McLeod , and featuring Mandy Harvey .

About Lachi

Named a USA Today Woman of the Year , Lachi is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, author, and internationally renowned Disability Culture champion. Born legally blind, Lachi is founder/CEO of U.N.-recognized organization RAMPD , bringing disability visibility to the highest levels of the music industry. From her Glam Canes fashion line, PBS series Renegades , which won the inaugural DARCY Award for Unscripted Series in 2026, and award-winning book I Identify as Blind , to producing critically acclaimed album Magnificent and co-producing GRAMMY-nominated album The Colors in My Mind , Lachi leverages pop culture, through music, storytelling, fashion, and public speaking, to challenge the stigma often associated with disability and neurodivergence.

About CEL and The Nora Project

CEL enriches the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by expanding opportunities for personal success, friendship, employment, inclusive education, mental health and community involvement. The Nora Project, a program of CEL, promotes disability inclusion through Disability Studies-informed social-emotional learning curricula for students from preschool through high school, alongside professional learning modules and live virtual learning sessions for educators and community members. Learn more at ExperienceCEL.org/education .

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