Being Heumann

The Americans with Disabilities Act was first drafted and brought to Congress by Justin Dart, the leader of the National Council on Disability, in April 1988. However, Judith dates its inception back to 1980, when she and the WID first began working on it after determining that the Rehabilitation Act, which only addressed the public sector, was insufficient in addressing civil rights for people with disabilities. The first draft of the ADA was rejected, but work immediately began on a second draft, which was presented to both the Senate and House of Representatives in 1989. Although it passed through the Senate, it took six months and several protests for the House of Representatives to end their delays and pass it. The final draft, which demanded accessibility in all areas of life within two years, was signed by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. This was a momentous occasion in Judith’s life and political career, as she spent decades working toward results like these. In 2008, Present George W. Bush amended the bill to expand who qualifies for disability benefits and adjust sections that were more limiting than freeing.