Posted on behalf of Dr. Ruth Schumacher-Martinez and the NASP Neurodiversity Interest Group.
Hi Colleagues,
For those who are not aware, beloved disability activist Judy Heumann died on Saturday, leaving a huge hole in the disability advocacy community. For many of us in the disability community, Judy taught us to love ourselves and she fostered disability community, connection, and helped people find their power to demand equity.
Judy Heumann's history of advocacy spans the work done enforcing 504 through sit ins that lasted as long as 25 days, the development of ADA, and years of service to presidents and government officials, fighting for the equal rights of individuals with disabilities. She worked tirelessly to unite BIPOC individuals with disabilities, veterans with disabilities, and individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities. She will be sorely missed and leaves a legacy that we must continue to ensure civil rights for disabled individuals.
Here are a few favorite Judy quotes for us:
"And I'm very tired of being thankful for accessible toilets, you know? I – I really am tired of feeling that way, when I basically feel that, If I have to feel thankful about an accessible bathroom, when am I ever gonna be equal in the community?" "When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge that you have rights. The next thing you need is a group of friends to fight back with.” "Our anger was a fury sparked by profound injustices. Wrongs that deserved ire. And with that rage we ripped a hole in the status quo.” "We will no longer allow the government to oppress disabled individuals. We want the law enforced! We want no more segregation! We will accept no more discussions of segregation and…” I paused. Eidenberg was nodding sympathetically at me. The look on his face was unbearable. “And, I would appreciate it if you would stop nodding your head in agreement when I don’t think you have any idea what we’re talking about!” I put my head in my hands and choked back my tears. The room burst in applause.” “When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge that you have rights. The next thing you need is a group of friends to fight back with.” “Some people say that what I did changed the world,” she wrote, “But really, I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it.” You can also read more about her work on her website: https://judithheumann.com/, and listen to past episodes of her podcast called The Heumann Perspective. The documentary Crip Camp also deeply covers her work. Please share Judy's work with your graduate students to support them in understanding disability culture. Thank you for letting us reflect and extend gratitude for our Judy--may her memory be a blessing.
"And I'm very tired of being thankful for accessible toilets, you know? I – I really am tired of feeling that way, when I basically feel that, If I have to feel thankful about an accessible bathroom, when am I ever gonna be equal in the community?"
"When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge that you have rights. The next thing you need is a group of friends to fight back with.”
"Our anger was a fury sparked by profound injustices. Wrongs that deserved ire. And with that rage we ripped a hole in the status quo.”
"We will no longer allow the government to oppress disabled individuals. We want the law enforced! We want no more segregation! We will accept no more discussions of segregation and…” I paused. Eidenberg was nodding sympathetically at me. The look on his face was unbearable. “And, I would appreciate it if you would stop nodding your head in agreement when I don’t think you have any idea what we’re talking about!” I put my head in my hands and choked back my tears. The room burst in applause.”
“When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge that you have rights. The next thing you need is a group of friends to fight back with.”
“Some people say that what I did changed the world,” she wrote, “But really, I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it.”
You can also read more about her work on her website: https://judithheumann.com/, and listen to past episodes of her podcast called The Heumann Perspective. The documentary Crip Camp also deeply covers her work.
Please share Judy's work with your graduate students to support them in understanding disability culture. Thank you for letting us reflect and extend gratitude for our Judy--may her memory be a blessing.
In solidarity and community,
The NASP Neurodiversity Interest Group
