We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Judith (Judy) Heumann. Judy served as a leader, a friend, and a beacon to so many of us – and as a foundation to the disability rights movement as we understand it today.
To those who knew her, Judy was an unstoppable force, though she would be the first to say her success was rooted in community collaboration. Because of her lifelong advocacy, commitment to equity, and countless achievements – such as the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Rehabilitation Act and the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – the landscape of life for those with disabilities across the globe has been changed for good.
Members of our team at the Disability Rights Legal Center were privileged to know her personally. Our memories of her generosity, fierce loyalty, and resolute determination in the face of injustice continue to energize our work.
When we last spoke with her, Judy gave us the gift of sharing her story with us. As we remember Judy together this week, we want to share a selection from her interview with DRLC:
Her life is a blessing, her impact immeasurable. We consider it an honor to carry the torch.
Our thoughts are with her friends, family, and her husband Jorge Pineda as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.
