US Disability rights activist Judy Heumann dies aged 75

[nightwing1240]

Judy Heumann, a renowned advocate for the rights of disabled people, has died at the age of 75.

Heumann was an internationally recognized leader of the disability rights movement whose activism led to the implementation of major legislation in the United States.

After contracting polio as a child, she became the first wheelchair user to work as a teacher in New York City.

She died in Washington DC on Saturday.

Heumann was "widely regarded as 'the mother' of the disability rights movement", according to a message posted on her website announcing her death.

She was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations, helped spearhead the passage of laws and founded national and international advocacy organizations, it added.

More at Link - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64854839
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What a wonderful woman that left her mark on our nation to help all those with disabilities. Hers is a life well lived.

[SheltieLover]

1. RIP

[thucythucy]

2. She was an amazing person

and a dedicated activist.

RIP.

[ChazII]

3. K&R n/t

[IcyPeas]

4. Trevor Noah interviewed her on the Daily Show. give it a watch (10 minutes)

She really changed a lot of things in her lifetime - she fought for so many! She made a difference for so many.

[Raine]

5. THANK YOU for posting this. I didn't know about her

unfortunately there's probably lots of other people who also don't know.

R-I-P Judy 🦋

[IcyPeas]

6. Rachel Maddow just reported this in a loving tribute.

Her voice was breaking at the end of her report.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Judy Heumann, Jewish disability advocate who spurred a movement, dies at 75

In Judith Heumann’s 2020 memoir, the lifelong advocate for people with disabilities describes feeling shocked upon being invited to read from the Torah at her synagogue in Berkeley, California. Not only were women permitted to carry out the sacred task, unlike in the Orthodox synagogue of her Brooklyn childhood, but the bimah, or prayer platform, had been made accessible just for her.

“Oh my God, I thought, I’ve never been asked to do an aliyah,” Heumann wrote, using the Hebrew word for the ritual. “I learned how to do it.”

The moment was just one of many when Heumann, who died Saturday at 75, charted ground that had previously been off-limits to wheelchair users like her. Since contracting polio as a toddler, Heumann broke down barriers for disabled children and educators in New York City schools, protested until federal legislation protecting people with disabilities was passed and advised multiple presidential administrations on disability issues.

A cause of death was not immediately given for Heumann, whose website announced her death on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Heumann had lived there for 30 years, since being tapped by the Clinton administration to serve as assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

more...

[GGoss]

8. Thank You For This !!!

[Ohio Joe]

9. RIP

[malaise]

10. K & R for a great woman

Well done sister