Judith Heumann

Judy Heumann
Heumann in 2014
Special Advisor for International Disability Rights
In office
June 7, 2010 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded bySara Minkara (2021)
Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
In office
June 1993 – January 20, 2001
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byRobert Davila
Succeeded byRobert Pasternack
Personal details
Born(1947-12-18)December 18, 1947
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 2023(2023-03-04) (aged 75)
Washington, D.C., U.S.[1]
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Jorge Pineda
​
(m. 1992)​
Education

Judith Ellen "Judy" Heumann (/ˈhjuːmən/;[2] December 18, 1947 – March 4, 2023) was an American disability rights activist, known as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement".[3] She was recognized internationally as a leader in the disability community. Heumann was a lifelong civil rights advocate for people with disabilities.[4] Her work with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, and various other disability interest groups significantly contributed to the development of human rights legislation and policies benefiting children and adults with disabilities. Through her work in the World Bank and the State Department, Heumann led the mainstreaming of disability rights into international development. Her contributions extended the international reach of the independent living movement.[5]

  1. ^ "The World Mourns the Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist". Judy Heumann. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "A message from Judith Heumann at IIS 2022". YouTube. November 19, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Commons Librarian (April 14, 2023). "All about Judith Heumann: Disability Rights Activist". The Commons Social Change Library. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "World Bank Appoints Judy Heumann to New Disability Adviser Post". Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2018.