Sian Heder’s Being Heumann Brings Disability Rights History to the Big Screen

Sian Heder is bringing one of the most important stories in disability rights history to the screen.

Her new film, Being Heumann, follows activist Judy Heumann, who led a 26-day occupation of a San Francisco federal building in 1977 as disabled protesters pushed the government to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The film stars Ruth Madeley as Heumann and Mark Ruffalo as Joseph Califano Jr., with most of the cast made up of disabled actors. Heder said the project is about making people who have often been overlooked more visible while showing the joy, humor, and personality behind the activism.