Heumann never saw disability as tragedy—but saw barriers and denials as cause for rebellion.
Heumann was still in her 20s when her organization, Disability In Action, shut down rush hour traffic on New York’s Madison Avenue, protesting President Nixon’s veto of the Rehabilitation Act. Nixon eventually signed the act in 1973, but by 1977, its Section 504—key to setting regulations for the actual enforcement of anti-discrimination in education and workplaces—still languished and seemed likely to be removed entirely.
Following the models of the women’s movement and civil rights movement, Heumann led nightly strategy sessions. Coalition work and disability ingenuity kept their occupation focused and strong, with occupiers fed thanks toOfficials cut off water lines, but local lesbian bar owners provided shampoo.
Solidarity and disability strengths—not deficits—was always Heumann’s message. On April 28, 1977, the secretary for health and human services signed Section 504. The measure only covered federally funded institutions and activities, but it prepared the way for broader protections in the private sector and other public services through the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. We have Judy Heumann’s leadership to thank.
It was a very important provision because it would mean, for example, that you could not discriminate against someone with a disability in preschool, in elementary school, in high school, at universities, in hospitals, in government. And if in fact discrimination occurred, you would have a remedy. You could go to court. You could file a complaint.
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