For Immediate Release
Office of Press Relations
press@usaid.gov
Statement by Spokesperson Jessica Jennings
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joins the international disability community in mourning the loss of Judith “Judy” Heumann, who passed away on March 4, 2023. In her capacity as Special Advisor for International Disability Rights during the Obama Administration, Judy collaborated closely with USAID to amplify the perspectives of persons with disabilities around the world and shape United States development and diplomacy to be informed by and inclusive of persons with disabilities. Judy often met with USAID Missions and high ranking officials of governments to lift up disability rights around the world.
In fighting for her own rights to go to school and gain employment, and then leading the struggle to enshrine disability rights in United States Federal Law and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an enduring message of Judy’s was that disability is not a tragedy. Rather, persons with disabilities are a natural part of the rich and diverse tapestry of humanity. As she put it, "Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives—job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example. It is not a tragedy to me that I'm living in a wheelchair."
In pushing for passage of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and countless other federal regulations, Judy also shaped how workplaces should intentionally accommodate and design for accessibility. USAID is grateful for Judy’s efforts to pave the way for our Agency to benefit from the essential contributions of our colleagues with disabilities.
USAID honors Judy’s legacy in transforming the landscape of international development and humanitarian assistance, and commits to continuing to elevate the perspectives, needs, and contributions of the more than one billion persons with disabilities around the world.