U.S. special advisor on the needs of people with disabilities worldwide
Judy Heumann is lauded as the mother of the modern disability rights movement. She served as the first special advisor on international disability rights for the U.S. State Department in the Obama administration. After her passing last weekend at the age of 75, Sara Minkara has taken over the role.
Minkara says that while the U.S. is seen as a leader in disability rights worldwide, there’s still work to do. And people with disabilities must be involved in every step of that work to ensure accessibility needs are met.
“When we talk about accessibility, we need to make sure I am comfortable as a person with a disability to bring my true full self forward,” Minkara says.
Full interview transcript:
Celeste Headlee: It’s. We’re reflecting on the life of disability rights activist Judy Heumann, who died over the weekend at age 75. Heumann was known as the leader of the modern disability rights movement. She was the first to serve as the State Department’s special adviser on international disability rights, a position created by President Obama. In this role, Heumann fought for the rights and protection of the more than 1 billion people in the world who live with a disability. Sara Minkara continues Heumann’s work. She’s the current special adviser on international disability rights at the State Department. And Sara, it’s a pleasure to have you.
