One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her story of fighting to belong in school and society -a powerful role model for young adults with a passion for activism

This young readers edition of her memoir, Being Heumann, introduces young readers to the disability rights movement through the lens of Judy Heumann's life. It centers on the universal yearning for connection and belonging that all young people experience as they navigate the trials of adolescence. Judy's wry personality leaps off the page in this fast-paced and engaging memoir that shows young readers that they have the power and strength to demand equal access in an unequal world.

As a young woman, Judy Heumann rolled her wheelchair through the doors of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in San Francisco and demanded the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protected the rights of all people with disabilities. But before that, Judy was a kid making her way through a school system that wasn't designed to include people with disabilities. Paralyzed from polio and raised by her Holocaust-surviving parents, Judy's drive for equality was instilled early in her life. She was barred from starting kindergarten with her friends because the principal deemed her a "fire hazard," and had to be homeschooled until her parents found a program for disabled kids. She then fought her high school when they initially denied her a diploma because of her inability to participate in gym, and she fought her college when she was described as a "fire hazard" once again. Rolling Warrior is a powerful story of fighting for what you deserve, and is a must-read for all young readers with a passion for activism and equal rights.

Judith Heumann is an internationally recognized leader in the Disability Rights Independent Living Movement. She has served in the Clinton and Obama administrations and as the World Bank's first adviser on disability and development. Heumann is the author of her memoir, Being Heumann, and her story was featured in the Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020). Connect with her on Twitter (@judithheumann) and Facebook (TheHeumannPerspective).

Kristen Joiner is an award-winning entrepreneur in the global nonprofit and social change sector. She coauthored Judith Heumann's memoir, Being Heumann. Connect with her on Twitter (@kristenjoiner).

Prologue

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE
Yelling at blank walls

CHAPTER TWO
Time for rest hour, kids

CHAPTER THREE
Sorry, if you could just hide behind everyone else that would be great

CHAPTER FOUR
If you’re not busy, can you help me into bed?

CHAPTER FIVE
You want me to what?

CHAPTER SIX
The last drop

CHAPTER SEVEN
Are you Judy Heumann?

CHAPTER EIGHT
The fight

CHAPTER NINE
Am I reading correctly?

PART TWO

CHAPTER TEN
Weird sleepover

CHAPTER ELEVEN
And suddenly, we’re visible

CHAPTER TWELVE
Dinner tonight courtesy of the Black Panthers

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The government threatens us with bombs

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
We threaten the government with more sleepovers

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
House party at Califano’s

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
There are no accessible bathrooms in the White House

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Please don’t ignore us or we will come to your Sunday school

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Power to the people

PART THREE: FOUR YEARS LATER

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Thirty-six million of us

EPILOGUE
And next

Acknowledgments
Credits