Incapacity rights activist Judith Heumann will have fun 30th anniversary of ADA with KU

LAWRENCE – Judith Heumann, an advocate for lifelong disability and former special advisor to former President Barack Obama and the World Bank, is with the University of Kansas to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Disabled Americans (ADA) Act and National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, the Lawrence Community and guests worldwide October 28-29.

“ADA 30 – Nothing About Us Without Us – A Celebration With Judith Heumann” offers a keynote talk with Heumann, moderated by Wesley Hamilton, entitled “The ADA at 30: Past, Present and Future” as well as several other panel discussions about timely Disability issues. All events are free and most are open to the public. You can find the full event schedule at rockcha.lk/celebrate-ada/schedule.

“Our two-day celebration with Judith Heumann is extremely exciting on campus, in the community, at the regional and national levels,” said Catherine Johnson, director of the KU ADA Resource Center for Justice and Accessibility. “I expect thousands of guests to join us during these two days to celebrate ADA, discuss current concerns about the rights of people with disabilities, and set a course for future work on advocacy for people with disabilities. I am humble and grateful that Judith is with us for this exciting and impactful celebration of disability rights. ”

Plan highlights

“Review with Judith Heumann”: 10-11: 30 a.m., October 28th
Experience a conversation with Heumann about the power of Netflix’s documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution”, the Disability Rights Movement, and Heumann’s influence and legacy as an international disability activist. She will also discuss her autobiography “Be Heumann, an unrepentant memory of a disability rights activist”.

“Where are the disabled artists?”: 2: 15-3: 30 p.m. October 29
The presentation of disabilities in the media is an emerging issue within the disability rights community. Current media coverage of disabilities is most often portrayed by an actor without a disability rather than an actor with a disability. Acting portrayals of people with disabilities range from pathetic to heroic, using both harmful and outdated stereotypes that have long been ignored by the disability rights community. Meet with Heumann and local and national disability rights advocates for a conversation about this evolving issue.

“The Independent Living Movement”: 9: 30-11 a.m., October 29th
Meet with local and national disability rights attorneys to speak with Heumann about the power and impact of the Independent Living movement on the lives of people with disabilities, its impact on the advocacy of disability rights, and the future advocacy of the Independent Living movement .

About Judith Heumann

Heumann is an internationally recognized leader in disability rights and independent life movements. Her work with a wide variety of activists, non-governmental organizations, and governments since the 1970s has contributed significantly to the development of human rights legislation and policies for the benefit of people with disabilities. Heumann served in the Obama administration as the first special advisor on international disability rights to the US State Department, as the first advisor to the World Bank on disability and development, and in the Clinton administration as deputy secretary to the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

“Disabled people are no different from other groups. With suitable opportunities and support, we can contribute to the economic and social well-being of our communities, ”said Heumann. “Although changes themselves can take some time, we cannot accept no in the meantime and must exert as much pressure as possible in the fight for our rights.

“I am very excited to be in contact with the KU and Lawrence communities, and I am honored that the KU has invited me to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Disabled Americans Act with them. There is still so much to do and communities like this give me hope. “

About Wesley Hamilton

Wesley Hamilton, a Kansas City local, starred on Netflix’s “Queer Eye”. He is an award-winning athlete and the executive director of Disabled but Not Really, a philanthropic organization.

The full list of panelists and moderators can be found here.

More information

For more information about Judith Heumann, information about her work for people with disabilities, event details and more, please contact Catherine Johnson at 785-864-3650 or [email protected].

The KU’s ADA Resource Center for Equity & Accessibility promotes diversity and inclusion by promoting an open, accessible and integrative learning and working environment. See accessibility.ku.edu for more information.

The American With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. It provides similar protection to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which provided for illegal discrimination based on national origin, race, religion, gender, and other characteristics.

People with disabilities are encouraged to take part in all events sponsored by the KU. For the 30th ADA celebration with Judith Heumann, real-time translation (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) communication will be provided. If you require accommodation to attend, please contact the ADA Justice and Accessibility Resource Center, 1246 West Campus Road, Room 117, Carruth O’Leary, [email protected], 785-864 by October 12th -7416.