With heavy hearts, and along with the entire disability community, we mourn the loss of Judy Heumann. Judy was the trailblazer of the disability rights movement. Her contributions as an activist, spokesperson, and federal official on the national and international stages created huge changes for people with all kinds of disabilities, impacting so many aspects of life and society.

“Judy was a long-time member of The Arc Family. Her passion and commitment to the disability community was profound. She was a powerful advocate and mentor to so many. Most recently she was working towards creating the National Museum of Disability History and Culture. I look forward to Judy’s vision becoming a reality. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. All of us at The Arc send our condolences to her husband Jorge and her entire family,” said Laura Kennedy, President, The Arc’s Board of Directors.

“Having worked with and alongside Judy for over three decades, I struggle with finding words to express the powerful impact of her years of advocacy, leadership, and groundbreaking achievements. Her legacy will live on for generations to come, partly because she nurtured future leaders of the movement so that the civil rights work would always move forward,” said Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy.

Learn more about Judy’s leadership and life on her website and in reporting by NPR.