Disability narratives

Five years ago, I wrote in this column about Crip Camp, the documentary that tells the story of American disability activists and the fight that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act. I reflected on how our Canadian perspective on disability has been shaped by the work of the U.S. disability justice movement. One of the key players in that documentary was Judy Heumann, known as the “Mother of the Disability Movement.” This month, the film Being Heumann, adapted from her memoir, will be released in select theatres and on Apple TV.

I had the privilege of seeing Being Heumann in September at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). While some of our family were able to attend, limited accessible seating prevented Rachel and Janneke from joining us. Oh, the irony.

What I saw

The opening scene shows Judy navigating a busy street, complete with curbs and construction. Filmed in Toronto and set in the 1970s, the camera angles were well placed in catching the physical barriers of the urban landscape. Watching it on the large screen at TIFF, I felt immersed in her struggle, something we still encounter in 2026 when travelling with our daughters who use wheelchairs for mobility. As the film progresses, the focus widens to include public responses to Judy and to a protest she is leading with fellow disabled activists. We see not only the physical barriers but also the attitudes and assumptions that limit inclusion and acceptance. It’s a powerful must-see story.

Disability activism persists today. While significant changes have been made both in the U.S. and Canada, there are still societal barriers that need attention. Whether it is advocating for accessible playground surfaces, barrier-free entrances to buildings, sensory-sensitive lighting in grocery stores, or simply asking for patience and space in crowded train cars, food courts and public bathrooms, there is still work to do.

The need to reframe

In 2019, Judy Heumann wrote a white paper for the Ford Foundation entitled “Road Map for Inclusion: Changing the Face of Disability in Media.” Addressing physical barriers is important, but so is changing the narrative of disability in the stories we tell and the stories we see.

World Cerebral Palsy (CP) Day is marked on October 6. Last month, FightTheStroke Foundation, a movement that supports young stroke survivors with CP released a video called A Truly Cerebral Campaign. It features and celebrates numerous children and youth who live with CP. As I watched it, I was reminded of the cheeky Down Syndrome video that was created earlier this year to mark World Down Syndrome Day – both videos challenging the (limited) story society tells about diagnosis and prognosis.

Storytelling, whether through oral tradition, films or books, shapes both our understanding of the present and our sense of what is possible. In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re experiencing colder weather and spending more time indoors. Consider settling in with Judy Heumann’s memoir in print and audio, or exploring the different documentaries and short films I’ve mentioned here.