Worldwide disability justice activist, Judith Heumann, dies

[triumph]

Judith Heumann, 75, passed away in Washington, DC after a week of hospitalization due to a sudden cardiac condition. It was apparently unrelated to her lifelong quadriplegia due to Polio at age 18 months. I first met her in 1972 in New York City when I attended a group she co-founded, Disabled In Action - a group which fought the systematic ignoring of the rights of disabled individuals. She later traveled world-wide to help set up and train persons to run their own Independent Living Centers, as well as advocate for disability justice. Our friendship grew and I traveled to Germany and Sweden with her. I was the observer and learner while she made lifelong partners for her mission. We toured a unique independent living community near Stockholm, Sweden, in which paralyzed residents themselves ran the community of accessible homes, including personal assistant care workers.

She had a real system for traveling - she brought along a manual wheelchair filled with all her baggage and equipment, and her assistant would wheel that loaded wheelchair around and monitor loading it and her power chair for air travel.

Prior to her hospitalization, I was told she was planning a trip to the country Georgia (formerly Russian controlled), to help set up an independent living center and train persons to run it.
Her funeral service will be live streamed Wednesday, March 8 at 10 am.

[ChesBay]

An amazing person and tireless disability advocate. I think it’s safe to say she expanded the rights of all persons for disabilities..
I highly recommend the documentary “Crip Camp” on Netflix, an enjoyable glimpse of a young advocate with leadership skills who played a major role in expanding disability rights throughout her life,

[sriv]

An amazing person and tireless disability advocate. I think it’s safe to say she expanded the rights of all persons for disabilities..
I highly recommend the documentary “Crip Camp” on Netflix, an enjoyable glimpse of a young advocate with leadership skills who played a major role in expanding disability rights throughout her life,

She really really did. Today so many people enjoy accessibility that has been tirelessly advocated by giants like Judy. And it is a type of all pervasive accessibility across most of the country at a time when it was really hard to envision that kind of barrier free living.

We all owe her a debt of gratitude.

I agree with your recommendation. "Crip Camp" is a must watch.

May she RIP.

[SCI-Nurse]

I met her at several conferences in the 1980s. Always such a powerful personality and advocate for all people with disabilities, plus a great sense of humor.

If you have not read her autobiography "Being Heumann", put it on your reading list.

(KLD)

[SCI-Nurse]

Such a loss but did great things while she was here. I plan to watch the documentary ASAP. CWO

[triumph]

Just noting that the film "Crip Camp" was one of the nominees in last years Oscars, in the category of short films.

[spinner]

Judith Heumann Justin Dart, main players in getting the ADA both had polio. Weirdly makes me proud

[ChesBay]

Rightfully so. I was injured in the 70’s and can only imagine the attitudes and barriers faced in the 50’s & 60’s.

[Gearhead]

Her Book, "Being Heumann". I've not read, just learned of it on the news several days ago.

[SCI-Nurse]

We read it for one of my book clubs because it was chosen for last year's "One Book, One San Diego" as a book the local libraries chose for everyone possible (adult) to read. (KLD)