Judy Heumann | Disability Rights Advocate

Judith “Judy” Heumann— widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement— passed away in Washington, D.C. on March 4, 2023.

Watch the recording of Judy's Funeral and Memorial Service here.

Illustration of Judy Heumann with a colorful background. She is a white woman who uses a wheelchair with short brown hair. She is wearing red glasses, a dark purple printed shirt, and a lighter purple shaw. The background are abstract leaves and vines in orange and blue. To the right is black text that reads "She's considered the mother of disability rights -- and she's a 'badass'" with the quote attributed to The Washington Post.

Judith (Judy) Heumann is an internationally recognized disability advocate. She served in the Clinton and Obama Administration and was a Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation. Judy's story was featured in the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, a 2020 award winning Oscar-nominated documentary film produced by the Obama Higher Ground Production. In 2020, she published her memoir Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist written with Kristen Joiner. There is also a Young Adult version called Rolling Warrior. Judy is now the host and producer of The Heumann Perspective, a podcast and YouTube channel highlighting changemakers within the disability community.

Film art for Crip Camp featuring a scene from Camp Jened with two campers

Featured in Award winning Netflix Documentary, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution directed by Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham, produced by Higher Ground Productions. Available on Netflix and YouTube.

Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior are available in paperback, hardcover, large print, E-book and Audiobook!

A PODCAST AND YOUTUBE CHANNEL FEATURING DISABLED CHANGEMAKERS

A wholesome picture of Judy and her husband Jorge. Judy is a white disabled women who uses a motorized wheelchair. Jorge is a Mexican disabled man who uses a wheelchair. Jorge is wearing a blue shrit and is holding Judy's hand.

Learn More About Judy

Judith Heumann is a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of legislation, such as Section 504, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.