Judy Heumann: The Unstoppable Mother of the Disability Rights Movement
Judith “Judy” Heumann is often called “the mother of the disability rights movement,” and for good reason. Her work transformed not just policies, but perceptions, empowering millions of people with disabilities to live freely, accessibly, and on their own terms. A relentless advocate, policy leader, and storyteller, Heumann dedicated her life to fighting for inclusion, accessibility, and justice. This is a bio close to my heart. I was raised by a disabled parent (my father), who struggled to provide for his family while physically limited and in severe pain 24/7. Also, as an adult, I share my life with a beloved partner challenged by similar obstacles. This story truly fires me up for many reasons.
Early Life: Defying Low Expectations
Born in 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, Judy contracted polio at 18 months old, which left her unable to walk. By the age of five, her parents were told she could not attend public school because she was considered a “fire hazard.” That moment would foreshadow decades of exclusion but also mark the beginning of a lifelong crusade for systemic change. Her parents, especially her mother, Ilse Heumann, a Holocaust survivor, were fierce advocates. They taught Judy to fight back, speak up, and claim her place in the world. That upbringing gave Judy the backbone she’d need to challenge systems built to exclude people like her.
Education and First Legal Victory
Heumann eventually did attend school and went on to Long Island University. After graduating, she applied for a New York City teaching license, only to be denied because of her wheelchair. Judy sued the Board of Education and won, becoming the first wheelchair user to teach in the New York public school system. This victory launched her national prominence and established her as a rising voice in disability rights.
Activism: Sit-Ins and Section 504
In 1977, Judy led one of the most critical protests in the history of disability rights: the 504 Sit-In. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first federal civil rights protection for people with disabilities. But four years after it passed, the government failed to implement it. Judy and a coalition of disabled activists staged a sit-in at the San Francisco office of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The sit-in lasted 28 days, the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in U.S. history. It worked. The regulations were signed, setting a precedent that would eventually lead to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Judy’s leadership was vital not only in organizing the sit-in but in keeping morale and focus during its most trying moments. Her strength, wit, and moral clarity shone through, even when officials tried to ignore them.
Government and Global Impact
Heumann’s work didn’t stop at protests. She became a trusted advisor and leader at the highest levels of government. Under President Clinton, she served as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Later, she became the first Special Advisor for International Disability Rights under President Obama. Judy traveled the globe, bringing the conversation of disability rights to international platforms. Her leadership helped influence the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, shaping policy worldwide.
Memoir and Documentary Spotlight
In 2020, Heumann released her memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, co-authored with Kristen Joiner. The book recounts her powerful journey from being denied entry to kindergarten to becoming a key architect of the ADA. The memoir is a rallying cry for equity, human dignity, and the power of community. It has inspired readers of all abilities to examine how systems either enable or exclude.
That same year, Judy’s life reached a broader audience through the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. The film traces the roots of the disability rights movement to a summer camp in the Catskills called Camp Jened, where Judy and other teens with disabilities discovered a sense of community and shared purpose. Growing up nearby, I was aware of this camp but had no idea of the deeper, underlying challenges and issues associated with it and its population. Judy’s fiery spirit and organizing genius shine throughout the film.
Legacy: A Movement Forever Changed
Judy Heumann passed away in March 2023, but her legacy reverberates louder than ever. She not only broke barriers but redefined what activism could look like for those whose voices were too often dismissed or ignored. Her life reminds us that rights are never simply granted, they are won through organizing, storytelling, and bold, unwavering leadership. Her imprint is felt in every accessible ramp, captioned video, inclusive classroom, and international policy that protects human dignity. And more than anything, it lives in the hearts of those she inspired to fight back, speak out, and roll forward - unapologetically.
Recommended Books and Films
Being Heumann by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020, Netflix)
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution – Young adult adaptation of her memoir
If Judy Heumann taught us anything, it's this: "Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives." Let’s make sure that failure ends here and now with us.
About UP:
Promoting quality content that cracks open the mind and sparks curiosity. Standing Cyclist presents Useful Possibilities (UP), spotlighting extraordinary teachers and leaders, athletes and activists, researchers and writers, filmmakers and engineers, and their groundbreaking projects. UP recognizes individuals and teams who raise awareness and drive innovation in areas such as health and wellness, environmental science, spirituality, personal growth, and human rights. We celebrate those who promote unity, tolerance, respectful collaboration, mindful living, and the [responsible] use of technology, social media, and modern marketing tools. Honoring people and content that inspire us to be the very best versions of ourselves.
Useful Possibilities is powered by our valued partners and related brands:
