How the ‘Being Heumann’ Crew Built a Set for Its Disabled Cast on the Fly

Siân Heder's latest film, "Being Heumann," presents a unique challenge as it involves a cast of disabled actors. Heder, the film's director, faced the task of creating an accessible environment for the production which included building a dozen accessible trailers with lifts for background actors. The film's subject matter, the 504 sit-in protests in the 1970s, required the actors to perform in period-accurate wheelchairs, presenting another set of challenges.

Ruth Madeley, who plays Judith Heumann, had to advocate for all the disabled actors, ensuring their needs were met and providing support. Madeley herself took the initiative to understand her own limitations as a disabled actor when it came to vintage wheelchairs. She hopes that through "Being Heumann," she can showcase to other filmmakers that there are ways to include more disabled actors, with flexibility, compassion and ingenuity. "Being Heumann" is set to be released by Apple on November 6.