The Stephen Wise Temple and Schools community was saddened to learn last week of the passing of Judith Heumann, widely regarded as the mother of the disability rights movement. Heumann passed away in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of March 4, 2023.
Having just marked Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month, this loss is particularly painful.
Heumann, who contracted polio at 18 months old, was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations, helped spearhead the passage of disability rights legislation (including the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act), founded national and international disability advocacy organizations, and held senior federal government positions. She co-authored her memoir, “Being Heumann,” and its young adult version, “Rolling Warrior,” and was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film, “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.”
May her memory be for a blessing.
