Judith Heumann

Judith Heumann is a renowned disability rights activist who has become a powerful force in the fight to end the oppression of disabled people around the world. Heumann is an author, a lawyer, and an outspoken advocate, who has worked tirelessly to elevate the lives of people living with disabilities.

Heumann, who has been living with paralysis her entire life, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. Her parents were Holocaust survivors who encouraged her to challenge the status quo. She attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned a degree in history and elementary education. She then went on to earn her Masters degree in special education from the University of California, Berkeley in 1973.

Heumann’s career in the disability rights movement began in 1971, when she volunteered for a summer camp for disabled children in New Jersey. She quickly moved up the ranks, eventually working as an advocate and consultant with the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 1977, she was appointed to a position within the Carter administration and became the first-ever individual with disabilities to hold a post in the federal government.

Heumann continued to make headway in the fight for disability rights, pushing for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. The law protected the rights of people living with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination in employment and access to public services and transportation. She also wrote a book, “The Right to Live in the World: A Disability Declaration of Independence,” which has become a major resource in disability rights circles.

Heumann has not only advocated for the rights of individuals with disabilities, but she has also been a vocal leader in the push for better access to comprehensive healthcare, transportation, education, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Heumann has been a keynote speaker at numerous events and even met with Pope Francis in 2018 to discuss disability rights.

In 2015, Heumann was appointed as the special advisor for International Disability Rights at the US State Department by then Secretary of State John Kerry. Additionally, she has been awarded various honorary degrees, including a Doctorate of Letters from Smith College in 2001.

Heumann’s career has been remarkable in its success and impact. She is a steadfast believer that disabled people can and should be fully included in society and has dedicated her life to eradicating the systemic disparities that hinder access to resources and opportunities. Heumann is a true champion of disability rights and her work is sure to continue to be a valuable contribution to the ongoing fight for justice and equality.