'Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives—job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example,' Heumann told one reporter.
"Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives—job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example," Heumann told one reporter.
Heumann sued the New York City school district and won her case, becoming the city's first teacher who used a wheelchair and drawing national attention to the issue of discrimination against people with disabilities. One newspaper ran an article about the case titled, "You Can Be President, Not Teacher, with Polio," in which Heumannthe outlet, "We're not going to let a hypocritical society give us a token education and then bury us.
Seven years later Heumann led more than 100 people in San Francisco in joining nationwide protests to demand that President Jimmy Carter's health, education, and welfare secretary, James Califano, implement a crucial statute within the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. "We will no longer allow the government to oppress disabled individuals," Heumann told a representative for Califano at one meeting. "We want the law enforced. We want no more segregation."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judy Heumann, known as the 'mother of the disability rights movement,' dies at age 75Heumann lobbied for legislation that eventually led to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
Read more »
Judy Heumann, 'mother of the disability rights movement,' dies at age 75She was a longtime advocate on behalf of disabled people through protests and legal action.
Read more »
Judy Heumann Dies: Disabilities Activist And Author Of ‘Being Heumann’ Was 75Judy Heumann, who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people and whose life’s story was being adapted to film, has died at age 75. She died Saturday in Washington, D.C…
Read more »
Judy Heumann, renowned disability rights activist, dies at 75Heumann, who lost her ability to walk at age 2 after contracting polio, has been called the 'mother of the disability rights movement'.
Read more »
Judy Heumann, renowned disability rights activist, dies at 75Heumann, who lost her ability to walk at age 2 after contracting polio, has been called the 'mother of the disability rights movement'.
Read more »