British woman becomes first person with an intellectual disability to release solo album

From The Guardian in the UK:

Lizzie Emeh (pictured) was never expected to walk or talk. But this week at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Emeh, now 32, will become one of the first learning disabled solo artists to release an album to the general public. Her ambition is to win a Mobo award, and, if her talent and determination are anything to go by, she might just fulfil her dream.

Her album, Loud and Proud, a mix of pop, soul, jazz and ambient tunes, is supported by disability arts organisation Heart n Soul through its new record label. It is the result of collaboration with musicians including Charles Stuart, who tours with Grace Jones, and Robbie Fordjour, drummer for jazz artist Courtney Pine.

Emeh says that Stevie Wonder is her biggest inspiration, "because he can do so many things . . . despite his disability". She adds: "I like it when people are touched by my songs and seeing the smiles on people's faces. I like seeing people with learning disabilities being themselves, having a good time and not hiding away."

Complications at birth left Emeh with a mild learning disability, but she confounded medical opinion by starting to talk and walk at four years old. She does not read or write, and lives in supported housing in west London. Heart n Soul director Mark Williams heard her sing at the one of the group's arts events 10 years ago and encouraged her talent.

Promoting artists with disabilities, Emeh says, will educate the public. "There are people who say stupid and hurtful things," she explains. "I was on a bus and a boy looked at me and then turned to his sister and said, 'That's what I call a retard.' And they both laughed at me. I tried to shake it off, but I was very upset. If we can teach kids to understand us, then they'll accept us and won't be scared and make fun of us. I want people to respect us."

Emeh wants more training and scholarships for disabled people, and argues that, with appropriate support, more of her peers could become artists.

For Emeh, support means working with musicians who transcribe her words and put the chords down. She also has vocal, choreography and media training sessions. The album has taken three years to develop, reflecting the comfortable pace at which Emeh worked.

Given the controversy over X-Factor contestant Susan Boyle, whose vulnerability many felt was not adequately supported, Emeh proves that, with tailored help, artists with special needs can realise their dreams.

Williams says: "The Disability Discrimination Act says people with disabilities should be given an equal chance to participate, and that ethos can be shared in all organisations. It's having the belief and confidence that these artists do exist and have the same aspirations as everybody else."

For Stuart, working with Emeh has taught him to be more patient. He says: "There are so many amazing and powerful stories that artists like Lizzie need to tell and a wider audience needs to hear."