Disability Activist Speaks on Human Rights

The Catholic University of America hosted Dr. Judy Heumann this past Thursday to discuss the history of the disability rights movement in the United States. Heumann, who suffers from polio, has fought for the rights of disabled individuals since her early twenties. She inspires other people with disabilities to spread awareness about the discrimination she and others face every day, and has made a substantial contribution to the human rights movement.

Heumann, from Brooklyn, New York, was diagnosed with polio at a young age, and, due to her disease, was enrolled in a program known as Public School 21, or PS21. This particular program allowed disabled children to be educated through the eighth grade.

These children were separated and prohibited from interacting with the general student body. Heumann and her immediate peers were not permitted to eat lunch with the other students in the school gym. Disabled individuals remained in this program until the age of 21, when they were sent to ‘Sheltered Workshop,’ a job training program for disabled individuals.

Heumann later pursued a college education, due to her mother’s effort to organize the parents of other disabled children, and went on to attend Long Island University, and eventually earned her doctorate at Berkeley.

After deciding to be teacher, Heumann applied to teach at her former elementary school. Although she had passed her oral and written exams, Heumann’s application was rejected because of her disability.

At this pivotal point in her life, Heumann decided to fight for the right to teach and filed a law suit against the New York Board of Education. After an arduous battle, Heumann earned a position at the Kennedy Elementary School.

Attention from the press assisted the success of her lawsuit. Heumann appeared on the ‘Today Show’ and was featured in various news articles. “In some real way you’re really planning your future. No one knows when someone will get a disability,” she says.

Heumann continued to defend the rights of disabled individuals, saying, “Students at a Catholic University have a responsibility to be a part of the human rights movement, including the advancement of the right of disabled people around the world. The denial of human rights to one group denies the rights to all.”

Heumann says one of her predominant issues has been spreading awareness of the rights of disabled individuals as a part of the civil rights movement. “We were young but we learned how to work with the press and how to articulate our demands.” Her peers desired equality and an end to discrimination in the workplace, a right to equivalent education, and other rights granted to other American citizens.

Other social movements at the time shared similar goals and hopes for a brighter future. “If people are discriminated against then their ability to live a normal life in society is adversely affected,” says Heumann.

World Report says that at least 15 percent of humanity or at least 1 billion people have disabilities.

“Some people can hide their disability,” says Heumann, “but some people, like me, who are in wheelchairs, have no choice but to share it with everyone.”

Heumann also discussed the negativity that she and other disabled people face on a daily basis: “[People] view being disabled in a negative way.” She asserts, rather, it is intrinsically a part of that person, and society should accept them as they are.

When asked about her experience abroad with religious organizations, Heumann says, “When I travel, I frequently meet with people of religious organizations. I talk with them about what they’re doing to help the status of disabled people. We both focus on removing barriers.”

Heumann continues to defend the rights of disabled individuals, by championing for rights such as accessible buildings, equivalent restrooms, and a complete end to any form of discrimination.


(2012-02-17/cuatower)