In a special 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act edition of 14 Questions (this edition is technically 18 Questions), Numotion Director of Advocacy, Justin Richardson interviews Judy Heumann, disability rights activist, international leader in the disability community, author of “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” and star of “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” (currently streaming on Netflix).

The wide-ranging interview has been split into two parts and indexed by topic below.

Part One:
 
  • What was your parents’ influence on your future in advocacy? – O:51
  • How did your time at Camp Jened (featured in Netflix’s “Crip Camp) and shape your path to leadership in the disability community – 4:18
  • What was Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, why was it important to the disability rights movement, and what were the origins of the San Francisco sit-in protests? -8:35
  • What concurrent Section 504 activism was occurring in Washington, DC, what was the impact of your victory, and how did this lead to the future Americans with Disabilities Act? – 17:02
  • How were so many living with disabilities and specialized needs able to occupy an office building for almost an entire month? – 21:12
  • What was the importance of cooperation between both disability related organizations and non-disability organizations in the success of the Section 504 protests? – 24:57
  • What was your understanding of the importance of the 504 protests/ultimate victory and how did opponents use bomb threats to attempt to disrupt the movement?– 26:50
  • Aggressive activism vs. following established legislative channels of change: Which is more effective? – 28:48
  • Were the Section 504 protests accurately portrayed on Comedy Central’s “Drunk History” – 31:15
 
Part Two:

  • What advice would the Judy Heumann of today give to the Judy Heumann who occupied the Federal building in San Francisco? --0:06
  • If you could change one thing about the Americans with Disabilities Act, what would it be and why? – 0:57
  • “Separate but Equal” and American Society’s slow adoption of Universal Design – 03:42
  • Occasional insecurity about feeling as if she is a “burden” and regaining her sense of equality – 05:59
  • What advice would you give to someone who is new to life on wheels and may be resistant to accepting that change? – 08:47
  • If you had the undivided attention of Congress and the President of the United States for one hour, what issues would you discuss and why? – 10:32
  • Why are people with disabilities not better represented in our legislative bodies and what advice would you give to someone considering a career in public service? – 13:57
  • What would you say to a potential advocate who wants to create change but feels as if it would be too difficult to do so? – 18:33
  • What would be the best channels through which our viewers could follow your work and where might they purchase your book? – 22:03
Justin Richardson, Executive Director of the Numotion Foundation

Author

Justin Richardson, Executive Director of the Numotion Foundation

Justin Richardson is a manual wheelchair user of seventeen years and thirteen-year veteran of the seating and mobility industry. He has deep perspective and experience as a former ATP, operations manager, communications and customer experience leader. Currently Justin also serves as the Executive Director of the Numotion Foundation and sits on the Board of the North Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association.