Top of page
Misc

Judith Heumann, mother of disability rights movement, dies at age 75

Judy Heumann

Disability rights leader, activist and author Judith “Judy” Heumann, who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, died on Saturday at age 75. 

News of her death Saturday in Washington, D.C., was posted on her website and social media accounts and confirmed by her youngest brother, Rick Heumann.

Heumann has been called the mother of the disability rights movement for her longtime advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities through protests and legal action, her website says. 

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Heumann became a wheelchair user after developing polio at an early age in 1949.

She lobbied for disability legislation that eventually led to the  Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. She served as the assistant secretary of the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, beginning in 1993 in the Clinton administration, until 2001.

Heumann uplifted the voices within the disability community through her podcast, “The Heumann Perspective.” In 2021 the Heumann-Armstrong Award was launched to honor students with disabilities who have fought against ableism in schools and higher education.

She received several awards in her lifetime, including seven honorary doctorates. She gave a commencement speech at New York University in May 2022, where she received her most recent honorary doctorate.

You might also like

Young female caregiver helping a senior man in a wheelchair in a nursing home at night smiling Young female caregiver helping a senior man in a wheelchair in a nursing home at night smiling

HHS announces new rule to bolster disability protections under Federal law

The US Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a…

man in a wheelchair at a pedestrian crossing man in a wheelchair at a pedestrian crossing

EU Commission to introduce Disability and Parking Card

The European Commission delivered a legislative proposal that will facilitate access to…

Rear view of person with blindness disability using computer keyboard and braille display Rear view of person with blindness disability using computer keyboard and braille display

People with vision disabilities demand e-voting in Switzerland

The Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBV)…

woman in wheelchair talking with colleageues during a break woman in wheelchair talking with colleageues during a break

UK unveils plans to boost employment for people with disabilities

People with disabilities and those with health conditions, who have…