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NewsWPLG Local 10November 6, 2026Miami-Dade County

Director Siân Heder and actor Ruth Madeley discuss the new film 'Being Heumann' about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Director Siân Heder and lead actor Ruth Madeley discuss the making of 'Being Heumann,' a new film about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann that opened in theaters on Friday and premieres Nov. 13 on Apple TV. The movie depicts the historic 1977 sit-in led by Heumann to enforce the Rehabilitation Act, featuring the largest-ever ensemble cast of disabled actors in a Hollywood production.

FilmDisability RightsCultureHistory
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Why It Matters

The Apple production brings rare cinematic focus to a foundational 1977 civil rights protest while employing the largest ensemble cast of disabled actors in film history.

Key Facts

  • The film 'Being Heumann' opened in theaters on Friday and is set to premiere Nov. 13 on Apple TV.
  • The movie features the largest-ever ensemble cast of disabled actors in a Hollywood production.
  • The film focuses on a 1977 sit-in led by Judy Heumann occupying the San Francisco offices of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
  • The 1977 protest pressured U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano to finally enact the Rehabilitation Act.
  • The Rehabilitation Act had been passed four years prior to make accessibility a requirement in federal buildings but remained unenforced.
  • Lead actor Ruth Madeley, who has used a wheelchair most of her life, was born with spina bifida and is from near Manchester, U.K.
  • Judy Heumann contracted polio as an infant and was selected by President Barack Obama in 2010 to lead international disability rights diplomacy.
  • The film's title is derived from Judy Heumann's 2020 autobiography, 'Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist.'

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationApple“Distributor/platform for 'Being Heumann'”PersonSiân Heder“Director of 'Being Heumann' and 'CODA'”PersonDaniel Durant“Actor in 'CODA'”locationU.K.“Country of Ruth Madeley”OrganizationFBI“Federal agency referenced in comparison by protesters regarding Judy Heumann”PersonTroy Kotsur“Actor in 'CODA'”PersonMark Ruffalo“Actor playing Joseph Califano”locationSan Francisco“Location of the 1977 sit-in”OrganizationState Department“Federal department where Judy Heumann led international disability rights diplom”OrganizationDepartment of Health, Education and Welfare“Federal department whose San Francisco offices were occupied in 1977”PersonJudy Heumann“Disability rights pioneer and subject of the film”locationManchester“Area near where Ruth Madeley is from”PersonBarack Obama“U.S. President who appointed Judy Heumann and produced 'Crip Camp'”PersonRuth Madeley“Lead actor playing Judy Heumann”locationBrooklyn“Judy Heumann's origin”PersonMarlee Matlin“Actor in 'CODA'”locationNEW YORK“Dateline for the AP article”PersonJoseph Califano“U.S. secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977”