It is with great sorrow that the Center for Disability Health and Wellness (CDHW) has recently learned of the passing of civil rights activist and leader Judy Heumann. "Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives — job opportunities or barrier-free buildings,” she once said. “It is not a tragedy to me that I'm living in a wheelchair."

Her positive outlook on disability is a guiding principle for the researchers, physicians, and staff at the CDHW. We all believe that every person with a disability can lead a rich, fulfilling life, and that it is our duty to help build a more accessible, inclusive world. Judy Heumann worked tirelessly to make that world a reality, helping to establish much of the legislation that protects the lives of people with disabilities today.

We hope to honor her commitment to disability rights by carrying on her legacy. While the laws have changed, many issues around disability remain, particularly for those with overlapping marginalized identities. The CDHW continues to work diligently to create a future where everyone will be able to see disability not as a tragedy but as an opportunity – an opportunity to build a more equitable and accessible world.

Read more here: The family of Judith “Judy” Heumann invites the community to honor her life.