Born: 1947 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Died: 2023
Biography:
Judith Ellen Heumann (December 18, 1947 – March 4, 2023) was an American disability rights activist who became widely known as the Mother of the Disability Rights Movement. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated civil rights advocate for people with disabilities and made significant contributions to the development of human rights legislation and policies benefiting both children and adults with disabilities.
Heumann was born in Philadelphia to Werner and Ilse Heumann, who were German Jewish immigrants. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, she was the oldest of three children. Tragically, Heumann’s grandparents, great-grandparents, and many other family members were killed in the Holocaust. Her brother, Joseph Heumann, later became a film professor and author.
At the age of 18 months, Heumann contracted polio and used a wheelchair for most of her life. However, she firmly rejected stereotypes and viewed disability as a social issue rather than a personal tragedy. She believed that any hardships faced by individuals with disabilities were primarily due to societal barriers, such as the lack of job opportunities or inaccessible buildings.
Heumann and her parents faced numerous challenges in ensuring her inclusion in the educational system. Initially, their local public school refused to allow her to attend, citing her wheelchair as a fire hazard. Consequently, Heumann received home instruction twice a week for three years. However, her mother, Ilsa Heumann, who was a community activist herself, fought against this decision. Eventually, Heumann was allowed to attend a special school for disabled children in the fourth grade. The fight for inclusion continued when the city policy dictated that Heumann should receive home instruction for high school. Through the collective efforts of Heumann’s mother and other parents, the school policy was reversed, enabling Heumann to enter high school in 1961.
During her formative years, Heumann attended Camp Jened, a summer camp in Hunter, New York, specifically designed for children with disabilities. This experience exposed her to the shared frustrations and challenges that individuals with disabilities faced. She developed a deep sense of camaraderie with her peers, expressing that they experienced the same joys, anger over mistreatment, and frustrations over limited opportunities.
Heumann’s passion for disability rights activism grew throughout her life. She became a prominent leader in the disability community, recognized internationally for her work. Heumann collaborated with governments, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and various disability interest groups to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. Her diverse experiences and exceptional leadership skills allowed her to make significant strides in the development of human rights legislation and policies.
One of Heumann’s notable achievements was leading the mainstreaming of disability rights into international development through her roles at the World Bank and the State Department. She worked tirelessly to ensure that disability inclusion was integrated into global initiatives, extending the reach of the independent living movement. By breaking down barriers and promoting the rights of individuals with disabilities worldwide, Heumann left an indelible impact on society.
Awards:
– Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010)
– Henry B. Betts Award (2018)
– Chancellor’s Medal for Exemplary Leadership (2021)