From Rolling Stone · Maribeth Romslo · · 2m
Being Heumann: Disability Rights and Hollywood's Accessible Revolution
A biopic about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann's fight for Section 504 and Hollywood's first fully accessible film production.
In brief
A biopic about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann's fight for Section 504 and Hollywood's first fully accessible film production. Being Heumann, a 2023 film streaming on Apple TV, shows Judy Heumann organizing a historic 1977 protest for disability rights and Hollywood's first accessible production with 60+…
Opening Scene
Judy Heumann refuses to be dismissed as she navigates chaotic 1970s New York City streets in her wheelchair.
“You are not introduced quietly to this character. You literally meet her in utter chaos and noise.”
Early Life Challenges
Denied school access until age nine due to wheelchair being considered a fire hazard, Heumann later sued the New York Board of Education for teaching rights.
Founding Disabled in Action
In 1970, Heumann co-founded Disabled in Action, a grassroots advocacy group that became central to the independent living movement.
Key Legislation Impact
Her activism helped create the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, transforming disability from charity to civil rights.
Sian Heder's Inspiration
Director Sian Heder first encountered Heumann in a 2020 Sundance documentary and saw a contradiction in her leadership style.
Section 504 Protest
In April 1977, Heumann organized a sit-in protest with over 100 disabled activists for Section 504, the first federal disability discrimination law.
Historic Protest Outcome
After 26 days, Secretary Joseph Califano signed Section 504 regulations, establishing federal protections against disability discrimination.
Hollywood's Accessibility Challenge
A 2019 Ford Foundation study by Heumann revealed disabled people make up one in four of the population but are under three percent in media representation.
Accessible Production
Being Heumann features 12 disabled leads and up to 60 disabled background performers with full accessibility on set.
Congressional Testimony Scene
Actors shared personal experiences of disability discrimination in a long take during congressional testimony, blurring historical and present-day narratives.
Premiere Inaccessibility
At the Los Angeles premiere, the theater's inaccessible stage forced the Q&A to be relocated to the middle of the auditorium.
Judy's Enduring Legacy
Heumann urged the cast to continue fighting after the film's success, emphasizing that hard-won victories are never the end of the fight.
The key point
Being Heumann, a 2023 film streaming on Apple TV, shows Judy Heumann organizing a historic 1977 protest for disability rights and Hollywood's first accessible production with 60+ disabled actors.
