This fully asynchronous course is a book study of Judith Heumann’s 2020 memoir Being Heumann:  An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. Heumann chronicles her experience as a paralyzed disability rights activist, including her battle to earn a teaching license, the Section 504 sit-in, and the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The course offers an opportunity to read and reflect on Heumann's memoir, the promises of the ADA, and the fight for disability equity and inclusion.  Course assignments include pre-reading videos and readings, guided reading questions, and post-reading reflection on how insights from the book can be applied to equity initiatives in education. The book is available for purchase as a paperback, hardcopy, or audiobook through the following book sellers or libraries may have the book available to check out:

• • Judy Heumann's website
  • Village Books
  • Watermark Books
  • ViLinks to an external siteAmazon 

Completion of this course offers an opportunity to purchase 15 clock hours in Equity. Participants may also consider enrolling in the NWESD online courses "Disability History and Awareness" and/or "Film Study:  Crip Camp,” which also examine the development of disability rights and history. See the Online Learning Program webpageLinks to an external site. at NWESD to find these courses and other online opportunities.

Deadline: Participants must complete this session in Canvas by February 15, 2026. Course attendance is taken on an on-going basis after participants finish, often within 3-5 days, though during rush periods and holiday breaks please be aware it may take up to 2 weeks. Please Note: Due to holiday breaks, no grading or recording of attendance will take place during the time periods of November 24 – December 1, 2025 and December 20, 2025 - January 1, 2026. Attendance for courses completed during these time periods will be completed as soon as possible after the break. Thank you in advance for your patience.