Judith E. Heumann delivers the 2019 Gustav Pollak Lecture

Appearing Tuesday night in the JFK Jr. Forum at the Harvard Kennedy School, Disability rights activist Judith E. Heumann called for private and public institutions to include the perspectives of disabled individuals in discussions about diversity and equality.  Hosted by the MLD Area and the Institute of Politics, Heumann delivered the Gustav Pollak endowed lecture in moderated discussion with MLD Area Chair and HKS Senior Lecturer Hannah Riley Bowles. Harvard Kennedy School graduate Sara Minkara, who introduced Heumann at the event, highlighted the activist’s influence on policymakers around the world.

Heumann has a long career as both an activist and organizer, but also working within multiple presidential administrations and with the World Bank. She brought a unique historical perspective to the long fight to enact legislation promoting disability rights in the U.S. and worldwide, and spoke persuasively about the ongoing need to enforce the laws and spread awareness that true inclusion remains a critical, but still far off, goal.  View the complete event on the IOP Forum webpage.

Judith Heumann and Hannah Riley Bowles on stage @ JFK Jr. Forum
Judith Heumann and Hannah Riley Bowles on stage @ JFK Jr. Forum (Photo Credit: Martha Stewart)

Greg Dorchak

Administrator of the Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences Area at the Harvard Kennedy School.