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U.S. Disability rights activist & HI Board Member Judy Heumann has passed away

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Advocacy | Laws | International | PUBLISHED ON March 9th 2023
From left to right: HI's Economic Inclusion Technical Advisor Meritt Buyer, HI-US Board Member Judy Heumann and Shanthi Krishnamurthi, from HI's partner V-Sesh, at the 2022 Harkin Summit in Belfast.

From left to right: HI's Economic Inclusion Technical Advisor Meritt Buyer, HI-US Board Member Judy Heumann and Shanthi Krishnamurthi, from HI's partner V-Sesh, at the 2022 Harkin Summit in Belfast. | © HI

HI mourns the passing of Judith Heumann, a beloved member of HI's U.S. Board. Judy was unflinching in demanding equal rights for Americans with disabilities. She poured her advocacy expertise, lived experience, energy and compassion into seeing those same American rights extended to persons with disabilities in every country. She continually lent her powerful voice to the global disability rights movement. Her legacy is a global one, which will continue to effect positive change for people with disabilities worldwide.

“Her international reputation as a vigorous, effective human rights advocate etches her in history,” says Jeff Meer, U.S. Executive Director of HI. “She was an extraordinary and visionary leader who understood that no dream is impossible.” 

Judy was a generous mentor to young activists with disabilities and inspired generations to realize the very rights she fought so hard to secure.  

"Judy dragged me kicking and screaming into the disability rights movement, and I have loved her dearly every day since,” says John Lancaster, a founding member of the U.S. Board. “She convinced me to become Executive Director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America."

While at the U.S. Department of State as Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, she worked to both embed the tenets of the ADA in the Department, but also encouraged an inclusive approach to U.S. foreign policy work done by the State Department and USAID.

Judy joined the U.S. Board of HI in 2017, supporting the global NGO’s efforts to respond to the essential needs of persons with disabilities, improve their living conditions, and promote respect for dignity and fundamental rights.

“There is no doubt that Judy left her mark on HI,” recalls U.S. Board President Nancy Kelly. “We’ll miss her energy, persistence, and humor. Judy worked hard to make HI itself more inclusive, insisting that the U.S. board and the organization set high expectations for its global inclusion projects and advocacy.”

"Judy Heuman is a true role model for the cause we champion at HI. Using her legal expertise, experience, energy and compassion, she has helped improve the lives, promote respect for the dignity and human rights of people with disabilities in every country. By lending her powerful voice to the global disability rights movement, her legacy will continue to bring positive change for people with disabilities around the world," said Manuel Patrouillard, HI's Global Managing Director.


Please feel welcome to share HI's statement on social media with your own memories or remarks (https://www.hi-us.org/statement_passing_of_judy_heumann).

The following HI posts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn can guide you.

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