A Life Well Lived - Our Friend Judy
We join in sharing our condolences for the loss of Disability Rights pioneer Judy Heumann.
Affectionately known by her podcast listeners as a “certified badass,” Heumann’s influence in starting and expanding the disability-independent living movement worldwide cannot be underestimated.
As a child, Heumann challenged the systems in place that questioned why individuals with disabilities were separated and not provided the same opportunities as other students. This sparked her trailblazing work in which she was a central figure in every significant piece of disability rights legislation, including the foundations of disability protections: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heumann has long been a friend of Able South Carolina, appearing in podcast episodes, speaking at events, and engaging with our youth. In 2020, Heumann joined the South Carolina Access & Independence Network’s Advocacy Day for Access & Independence and shared this with our community:
“Disabled individuals, regardless of our ability, have a right to the same quality of healthcare and the right to receive information… This is a time not only for us to speak up and speak out but also to be working actively with other coalitions of organizations…We must fight against any kind of bias which precludes people with different types of disabilities, racial backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. We must be fighting [so that] every vote counts, and we must be fighting against those who are trying to limit and restrict the number of people who can vote…Do not be shy. I encourage you to work in a collaborative way because it’s very important that the messages that are going to be given to your state legislators and others … that we try to speak in a unified voice… try to work cohesively to fight against discrimination across the board.”
Heuman also spoke to South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum delegates, our youth representing future disability leaders, in the summers of 2021 and 2022. She encouraged and inspired them to be activists and leaders within their communities and the greater disability rights movement. The delegates asked her, what do you want to see from our generation? Heumann shared,
“Continuing to expand the work of the movement, which includes learning about each other, supporting each other, working for new legislation implementation of legislation… You don’t have to only be working in the area of disability. You can also take your knowledge and drive, and bring it into other groups, sports clubs or sports groups or book clubs, or your religious community, whatever it may be, allowing disability to be a part of who you are and try to show up with it.”
Always one to never accept the status quo simply because “that’s the way it’s always done.” Heumann envisioned a barrier-free world for all individuals. A world that embraced inclusion for anyone with a disability.
Since 1994 Heumann’s influence has directly guided the work of Able SC. Our impact is directly related to the paths she created for all of us.
“Judy’s life is something to be celebrated. While we are devastated by the loss of our friend, we will forever carry her legacy, her passion, and her grit.” Kimberly Tissot, Able SC, President and CEO.
Huemann led a life well lived and was the ultimate badass. Rest in power, Judy. We will continue the movement you helped create.
Checkout our 2019 Podcast Interview with Judy
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Why Disability Representation
in Children's Books is Important
The article “Why Disability Representation In Children’s Books Is Key To An Equitable Future” discusses disability representation in different types of media and why it is important to include characters with disabilities in children’s books. The article also looks at the problems that often come up with disability inclusion in movies and TV and how printed stories can allow the positive representation of individuals with disabilities to grow. Gus Alexiou, the author, writes about accessibility, inclusion, and social justice.
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ADA Live Podcast, Episode 113:
Stories of Parenting with a Disability
Listen to this podcast to hear an engaging conversation on parenting with a disability and a new book on the topic, “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities,” with our four guests:
- Dave Matheis, Kentucky Coalition for the Rights of Parents with Disabilities
- Jason Jones, Disability Specialist, Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky
- Kimberly Tissot, President, and Chief Executive Officer, ABLE-South Carolina
- Kara Ayers, PhD. Associate Professor, Associate Director, University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
"A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities" contains the stories of thirty families. In every family, one or both parents have disabilities: physical, mental, sensory, and/or intellectual. The stories illustrate the infinite variety of the American family. It is that variety that gives the family both its strength and its beauty. Like individuals, no two families are the same. In the course of discussing their family experiences, the parents cover a number of topics. Click the button below to listen to the conversation or read the transcript.
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Equip Hangouts
First and Third Thursday of every month from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.
Equip Leaders and Mentors help empower their peers to take charge of their lives, find their unique voice to self-advocate, and engage with their community of peers more fully. Our Equip Hangouts meet on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 6-7 PM. The meeting on the first Thursday is held virtually, and the meeting on the third Thursday is in person at the Greenville and Columbia Able SC offices. If you have any questions about Equip Hangouts, please email mhanna@able-sc.org or hroberts@able-sc.org.
Upcoming Equip Hangouts:
Thursday, April 6, 6-7 PM, Virtual
Thursday, April 20, 6-7 PM, In Person
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