Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist
Who Would Like This Book:
This inspiring memoir takes you right into the heart of the disability rights movement, as told by the legendary Judith Heumann herself. It’s empowering, honest, and eye-opening - perfect for readers interested in civil rights, advocacy, or anyone looking to better understand the history and ongoing fight for disability rights. Teachers, activists, and anyone who loves stories of resilience and change will find a lot to love here. Even if you’re brand new to this history, Heumann makes it accessible (pun intended!). Bonus points if you enjoy pairing your reading with the excellent documentary Crip Camp.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re hoping for a deeply personal memoir with lots of intimate details and emotional deep-dives, you might find this one a bit heavy on activism and politics. Some readers also wished for more about Heumann’s private life and romantic relationships, and less about specific legislative battles. There are parts where the book can lean a bit more toward recounting events and policies than storytelling. The price of certain editions has also been mentioned as a downside.
About:
Judith Heumann's memoir, 'Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist', delves into her personal journey as a disability rights activist, shedding light on the early beginnings of the CIL movement and her pivotal role in advocating for disability rights both nationally and internationally. Through her compelling narrative, Heumann recounts her struggles with polio, the discrimination she faced, and the crucial moments that shaped the Disability Rights Act, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equality for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. The book not only serves as a memoir but also as a testament to the resilience and determination of individuals in the face of adversity.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers may include discussions of discrimination, institutionalization, and personal hardships related to disability.
From The Publisher:
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for Nonfiction
" ... an essential and engaging look at recent disability history."- Buzzfeed
One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her personal story of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.
A story of fighting to belong in a world that wasn't built for all of us and of one woman's activism-from the streets of Brooklyn and San Francisco to inside the halls of Washington- Being Heumann recounts Judy Heumann's lifelong battle to achieve respect, acceptance, and inclusion in society.
Paralyzed from polio at eighteen months, Judy's struggle for equality began early in life. From fighting to attend grade school after being described as a "fire hazard" to later winning a lawsuit against the New York City school system for denying her a teacher's license because of her paralysis, Judy's actions set a precedent that fundamentally improved rights for disabled people.
As a young woman, Judy rolled her wheelchair through the doors of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco as a leader of the Section 504 Sit-In, the longest takeover of a governmental building in US history. Working with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies, Judy successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled peoples' rights, sparking a national movement and leading to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Candid, intimate, and irreverent, Judy Heumann's memoir about resistance to exclusion invites readers to imagine and make real a world in which we all belong.
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