Judith Heumann

About

American activist who dedicated her life to fighting for disability rights. She is known for the Heumann v. Board of Education of the City of New York case, where she sued the Board of Education on the basis of discrimination after not being allowed to obtain a teaching license because she was in a wheelchair. She became the first wheelchair-user teacher in New York City after the case was settled without trial.

Before Fame

She contracted polio at only 18-months-old, and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. From ages 9 to 18, she attended a disability-focused summer camp called Camp Jened in New York.

Trivia

She played a large role in developing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1974. In 2021, she began a podcast titled The Heuman Perspective, which hosted guests who were disability change-makers. She was also a leader in the historic Section 504 Sit-in of 1977, and is widely considered to be an instrumental figure in helping advance legislation for disability rights.

Family Life

Her parents immigrated to the USA from Germany. She is one of three siblings. Her brother, Joseph Heumann, is a film professor and author. In 1992, she married Jorge Pineda.

Associated With

She served during Bill Clinton's administration as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.