This year's One Book One San Diego title Being Heumann is a moving, candid, and highly engaging account of Judith Heumann's lifelong fight as a disability rights activist. The history of disability rights is deftly woven throughout the memoir's narrative, since Judith led and experienced many defining moments, including the 1977 San Francisco Section 504 sit-in, firsthand.
You may borrow a copy of Being Heumann from Ryan Library, or, if you have a permanent address in SD County, you may borrow an electronic edition from San Diego County Public Library to read on a computer or e-reader; to borrow the ebook, visit this link and set up an account.
Book Summary from the publisher:
"One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her personal story of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.
A story of fighting to belong in a world that wasn’t built for all of us and of one woman’s activism—from the streets of Brooklyn and San Francisco to inside the halls of Washington—Being Heumann recounts Judy Heumann’s lifelong battle to achieve respect, acceptance, and inclusion in society.
Paralyzed from polio at eighteen months, Judy’s struggle for equality began early in life. From fighting to attend grade school after being described as a “fire hazard” to later winning a lawsuit against the New York City school system for denying her a teacher’s license because of her paralysis, Judy’s actions set a precedent that fundamentally improved rights for disabled people.
As a young woman, Judy rolled her wheelchair through the doors of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco as a leader of the Section 504 Sit-In, the longest takeover of a governmental building in US history. Working with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies, Judy successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled peoples’ rights, sparking a national movement and leading to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Some of these articles are available through a Ryan Library databases and require a PLNU login. Hover over the 'i' icon for more information.
PLNU's Educational Access Center
Timeline of Historical Events from Temple University's Institute on Disability: disabilities.temple.edu/resources/disability-rights-timeline
Peer-reviewed journals on the topic:
Websites:
Crip Camp is a documentary featuring Judith Heumann as a camp counselor and leader at the camp.
"A groundbreaking summer camp galvanizes a group of teens with disabilities to help build a movement, forging a new path toward greater equality."
One Book, One San Diego is our region's premier literary program, presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations, universities, and other educational institutions. Now in its 15th year, the purpose is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. Ryan Library is a proud partner. For a calendar of events, visit kpbs.org/one-book/.
Watch the one-hour One Book launch event with Judith Heumann interviewed by KPBS Arts Editor and Producer, Julie Dixon Evans.
Ability360 has produced a multi-part video series exploring the history, themes and lessons within “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist” by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner. Watch below.
These books are available through Ryan Library. The print books include a call number and the ebooks require a PLNU OneLogin.
DisCrit: Disability studies and critical race theory in education by 
Disability Studies and the Environmental Humanities by 
Social Psychology of Disability by 
Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities by 
A Constructive Theology of Intellectual Disability: Human Being As Mutuality and Response by 
Disability, Providence, and Ethics by 
Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas' Theology of Disability: disabling society, enabling theology by 
Wondrously Wounded : theology, disability, and the body of Christ by 
Flannery O'Connor : Writing a Theology of Disabled Humanity by 
Special Education - A Reference Book for Policy and Curriculum Development by 
"Judith Heumann is an internationally recognized leader in the Disability Rights Independent Living Movement. Her work with a wide range of activist organizations (including the Berkeley Center for Independent Living and the American Associate of People with Disabilities), NGOs, and governments since the 1970s has contributed greatly to the development of human rights legislation and policy benefitting disabled people. She has advocated for disability rights at home and abroad, serving in the Clinton and Obama administrations and as the World Bank’s first adviser on disability and development. She lives in Washington, DC.
-Biography from https://ability360.org/
TED Talk Summary: Four decades ago, Judith Heumann helped to lead a groundbreaking protest called the Section 504 sit-in -- in which disabled-rights activists occupied a federal building for almost a month, demanding greater accessibility for all. In this personal, inspiring talk, Heumann tells the stories behind the protest -- and reminds us that, 40 years on, there's still work left to do.
If you're interested in learning more about this period in American history, considering using the below search terms in several different library databases, to learn more:
Sociology of disability
People with disabilities
Disability studies
Disabilities Religious aspects Christianity
Special education Curricula
Special education Government policy
San Diego County Libraries (SDCL) has generously provided free access with no wait-time to the electronic copy of They Called Us Enemy. If you don't already have a SDCL library card, signing-up for one is easy.
If your mobile number is not from San Diego County, choose the second option (eCard Application) here and use your PLNU/San Diego mailing address. Once you're registered for a library card or if your mobile number is from San Diego County, use the instructions below.
Instructions to Access eBook
