Book Review: Being Heumann

Being Heumann by disability rights activist Judith Huemann was a thought-provoking surprise. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) and IDEA, which give access to education for children with disabilities, seem like they have been around forever. However, Judith Heumann was part of the long, hard fight to get these acts incorporated into law. From her opening line, “I never wished I didn’t have a disability”, Heumann encourages you to think deeply. In the first part of the book Heumann discusses her earlier life and barriers to education she experienced. Several schools denied Heumann entrance because polio had confined her to a wheelchair. When finally allowed into a special education program at public school, Heumann found the expectations for disabled children were low. They were not expected to attend college or have careers. Heumann defied these expectations throughout her life and these early experiences prepared her to fight for her rights. After graduating college, she was denied a teaching license because being in a wheelchair meant she was a “fire hazard”. Taught to be a fighter by her Jewish immigrant family, she fought and won a case against the NYC Board of Education. Although she won her case, she had trouble getting hired because of the reputation she garnered. This same reputation as a fighter eventually got her roles in numerous organizations working for civil rights for the disabled. She even worked for several presidents and for the World Bank. When she talks of her life before the ADA and other accessibility laws, it sounds unbelievable. Children with any disability were deemed unfit to learn; cities had Ugly Laws where the disabled were not allowed on the streets. She talks about how far we have come and how far we have to go.

Disability is a human rights issue that is often ignored, though anyone can experience disability, especially as lifespans grow longer. My 93 year old grandmother now has trouble walking, seeing, and hearing, and almost everyone has at least one person in their life who struggles with disability accommodations. Disability activists, including Heumann, that fought for the ADA led to many things that make life easier for my grandmother, and so many other people. Things such as: ramps, curb cuts, and elevators at the doctors’ offices are all part of her legacy. The book raised all kinds of questions for me to consider. “What is the difference between treating disabilities as a medical problem as opposed to a civil rights problem? According to Heumann it is the difference between “fixing” or “curing it” (which is for the future) and making things accessible (which is for the present). Another question raised by this book is “what is the difference between equality and equity?” Recently, I was on the subway in New York while reading this book. I noticed the station I was in would be impossible to navigate with a wheelchair. I later learned that of NYC’s 472 stations, only 29% are accessible. Judith Heumman passed away March 4th, 2023. She was an amazing woman and her drive and spirit come through in this book. This book was an inspiring read in easy, accessible language. I highly recommend reading it as an eye-opening look into the lives of disabled people.

If you want to pick up a copy locally, and support a disabled-owned and accessible small business, order a copy from Artefaktual, right here in Philippi, WV!