In this conversation, we share a special recording from our Accessible Podcast Book Club, featuring a discussion of Being Heumann by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner. Staff, students, and community members come together to reflect on Judy’s life and legacy, exploring the history of the disability rights movement and how it continues to shape our world today. The conversation weaves together personal experiences, policy insights, and honest dialogue about advocacy, access, and the ongoing fight for equity and inclusion. Grounded in both history and current events, this discussion highlights the power of collective action and the importance of understanding how hard-won rights came to be.

Takeaways:

• Disability rights—including access and protection from discrimination in employment and public life—were hard-fought through sustained advocacy.

• Landmark policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act transformed opportunities, but gaps in implementation remain.

• Programs like Medicaid play a critical role in supporting people with disabilities to live in the community.

• Advocacy happens at multiple levels—personal, workplace, and policy—and all are necessary for change.

• The shift from a medical model to a social model of disability reframes disability as part of human diversity, not something to “fix.”

• Cultural awareness and societal attitudes often lag behind policy change, impacting real-world inclusion.

• Lived experiences reveal ongoing barriers, even decades after major legislation was passed.

• Collective action and allyship are essential—disability rights impact everyone.

• Understanding history provides critical context for navigating current policy and advocacy efforts.

• One person can make a difference, but sustained progress requires community engagement.

Resources in this episode:

- Read Being Heumann by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner: https://judithheumann.com/being-heumann/

- Watch Crip Camp Documentary on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496

- Watch The Ride Ahead Documentary on PBS: https://www.rideaheadfilm.com/watchpbs

Acronym Guide:

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Watch the discussion on UMKC-IHD YouTube: www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Full Episode Details & Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu