Honoring the Life and Legacy of Disability Activist Judy Heumann
By Vanessa Harris, Abilities Expo Ambassador and Fun4TheDisabled
On March 4th, 2023, Judy Heumann, widely regarded the mother of the disability rights movement in America, passed away. After contracting polio at age two, she was blocked from entering kindergarten as her wheelchair was seen as a "fire hazard," and since then, she has dedicated her life to disability rights.
Judy is responsible for spearheading important disability rights legislation and founding disability advocacy organizations, has held senior federal government positions, and is featured in the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
We had the great privilege of sitting down with Judy Heumann to discuss her life, the progress of the disability rights movement, how far we've come, and how far we still need to go.
