Being Heumann

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One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history shares her personal journey of fighting for education, employment, and humanity. This narrative highlights the struggle for belonging in a world not designed for everyone, showcasing Judy Heumann's activism from Brooklyn to Washington. Paralyzed by polio at eighteen months, Judy's quest for equality began early. She fought to attend grade school, overcoming being labeled a “fire hazard,” and later won a lawsuit against the New York City school system for denying her a teaching license due to her disability. Her efforts set crucial precedents for the rights of disabled individuals. As a young woman, Judy led the Section 504 Sit-In in San Francisco, the longest governmental building takeover in US history, alongside over 150 disabled activists and allies. They successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled rights, igniting a national movement that contributed to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candid and irreverent, Judy Heumann’s memoir invites readers to envision and create a world where everyone belongs.