Best-Selling Author
The New York Times praised her best-selling book, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. She demonstrates how constraints fuel innovation, crafting non-visual techniques for everything from dancing salsa to climbing an iceberg in Alaska. Her ingenuity led her to develop a speech-to-Braille communication system, opening a powerful new channel for Deafblind communication. The story takes readers on adventures around the world, including building a school in Mali, fighting for blind readers at a courthouse in Vermont, and meeting with President Obama and President Biden. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating book is a testament to Haben's determination to resist isolation and find the keys to connection.
Book Haben Girma for Keynotes, Conferences, and Client Events
The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is an award-winning advocate, author, and keynote speaker. She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, was honored by President Obama as a Champion of Change, and serves as an inaugural Commissioner on the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection. Haben travels the globe helping organizations drive innovation, strengthen resilience, and deepen human connection.
Organizations such as Apple, Bottega Veneta, Disney, Gartner, Google, Microsoft, Oxford University, and Visa have invited her to deliver keynote presentations. TIME included her in TIME100 Talks.
Jump to heading#How do I book Haben Girma to speak at my event?
To hire Haben Girma, email contact@habengirma.com to request availability and speaking fee information. Please include your event date, location, and audience.
Jump to heading#Where can I find a video of Haben Girma speaking?
The video below has over 1.7 million views across Instagram and TikTok.
What People Say About Haben
"Thank you so much, Haben, for that amazing introduction, and for working to make sure that students with disabilities get a world-class education, just like you have. So please give Haben a big round of applause."
President Barack Obama
"She got out of Harvard, and you know what she's doing? She is an advocate for opportunities for people with disabilities. Because in fact they have enormous ability, and all over the world that ability is going untapped, diminishing their lives and the rest of ours as well. So let's give her a big round!"
President Bill Clinton
"I wish to take this opportunity, as well, to recognize you for your lifelong advocacy for people with disabilities, especially for the deaf-blind community. As a teacher and Prime Minister, I am particularly grateful for your work to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the tools they need to thrive at school and beyond. When our society is inclusive, we are all better off."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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