A Legacy for us to Build on: Wheelchair Users Reflect on the Loss of Judy Heumann


Two images side by side. Left image is black and white and shows Judy Heumann leading a protest line with a sign that says "No More Negotiation." Right image shows an older Judy Heumann holding hands with actor Andy Arias, a manual wheelchair user with blond hair and glasses on top of his head.

Disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann died on March 4 at the age of 75. Heumann is well known for her role in many of the events — from a lawsuit that paved the way for disabled people to become teachers, to the landmark 504-sit ins, to the development of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities —  that secured and advanced our community’s civil rights to fully integrate ourselves in society. 

Since her death, countless obituaries and tributes have been posted by everyone from major media outlets like the New York Times and NPR to disability advocates expressing gratitude on social media.

On social media platforms, wheelchair users from all over the world came together to share their grief at the news and thank her for the impact she had on their lives. What was most striking about the outpouring was how many of the next generation of public leaders in the disability community had personal interactions and photos with Heumann. Here are 10 posts that show the breadth of Heumann’s impact. 

1. She was a mentor to many

“She was my hero and friend. Mentor and role model. Judy changed THE world and MY world. Thank you Judy for your VISION. Her life force was so strong, her purpose so clear and her voice incredibly powerful.” says Ali Stroker. The actress also portrayed Heumann on Drunk History and voiced her audiobooks. 

2. She was “the mother of the disability rights movement”

“To know that this Black Woman who once was a little Black girl ashamed of who she was would meet a woman on the streets of DC, knowing nothing about this person’s status as the “Mother” of the disability rights movement, and that this woman would be that Black girl’s champion all the way to the pages of magazines and platforms she never would’ve dreamed of,” says Andraéa LaVant, who worked with Heumann as the Impact Producer of Crip Camp.

3. She paved the way for other women with disabilities

The Rollettes wheelchair dance team reflected on the impact Heumann had on the women at the 2022 Rollettes Experience. “Judy was a remarkable, larger than life human being. We were all so fortunate to be able to meet her last summer, feel the joy that she brings to a room, and experience the wisdom she imparts on others. We strive to be half the woman that she was. It was an honor to know her and learn from her.”

4. She had a loving embrace

“I thank Judy for always allowing me to be my authentic self, pushing me to challenge my viewpoints and move the accessibility needle forward for others. The love I have for Judy has no words. In every photo we had together she would grab my hand in solidarity and strength,” says actor Andy Arias. (Scroll right to see photos of Heumann and Arias holding hands.)

5. She lit up the room

Judy Heumann has left the building, today. Way too soon. I and millions of other people are grateful she was in this earth house with us, fought for equity and rights for all of us and left a legacy for us to build on,” says Candace Cable. “Please share your stories of her, continue the work of all people being free and may her memory bring a smile.”

6. She was fearless

“She had an amazing energy and a fearlessness that only comes from those who have spent their entire lives working from a place of purpose. Now that Judy is watching over all of us the words that come to mind is power and legacy. Thank you Judy for everything that you have done. Your life‘s work is unmatched,” says Lauren “Lolo” Spencer.

7. She a made the world a better place

“Heartbroken to learn of the sudden death of Judy Heumann, a pioneer of the disability rights movement whose work and life genuinely made the world better for lives like mine. An incredible, consequential, joyful and confident life,” says David Radcliff, a journalist who met Heumann at Sundance Film Festival. 

8. She was a storyteller and fierce advocate

“Judy never stopped fighting for the disability community, both in the United States and internationally. The disability community has yet another crip ancestor, and a call for the work to continue.” Heumann starred in the Oscar-nominated Netflix original documentary, Crip Camp, which told the story of the disability rights movement. 

“Crip Camp, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Convention on Rights for Persons with Disabilities of 2006, would not have been possible without Judy’s labor and love. We will miss her deeply.”

9. She made an international impact

“We know that many of our MIUSA alumni from more than 135 countries are mourning Judy’s loss, as they have very powerful memories of her presence and personal connections with them. Many of the photos included here were taken when Judy attended MIUSA’s 2010 Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) and shared her powerful spark with other disabled women leaders from around the world,” says Mobility International USA.

10. She is still with us

“Everywhere I have gone the last few days I can’t help but be struck by the thought, “This is because of Judy. I can live the life I live as a disabled person because of Judy.” She is all around us. In every moment we access a building, a school, public transportation, a curb cut, she is with us,” says model, Bri Scalesse. “Judy didn’t set out to be a monumental historical figure, she just wanted to live in a better, more equitable world, and was willing to fight like hell for it.”


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