Haben Girma

Steph Curry is reading my memoir!

The book cover for Haben by Haben Girma. The cover has a portrait of me in profile, wearing a blue dress and gold earrings. On the right is text, “March Pick. Stephen Curry Book Club: Underrated.”

I was born in Oakland and grew up never imagining my work would be celebrated this way. I’m deeply honored Stephen Curry & his book club will read Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law

Deafblind Students at Gallaudet University Protesting Injustice

Gallaudet University, based in Washington, D.C., describes itself as “the only university in the world designed to be barrier-free for Deaf and hard of hearing students.” I first learned about Gallaudet from the guidance counselor at my high school who told me it would be perfect for students like me. I ultimately attended Lewis & … Read more

Gallaudet University wouldn’t provide DeafBlind students of color with housing — why?

Like most universities, Gallaudet University reduced on-campus housing due to the pandemic and invited students with special circumstances to apply for housing. However, an investigation for this piece found a reality very different from promises made by the university. Four DeafBlind students who lived in the residence halls during the spring semester when COVID-19 hit needed … Read more

Talking with TIME 100 and Walking with Autonomous Robots

On the left is text that says, "TIME 100 Talks. Haben Girma, disability rights lawyer." On the right is a portrait of Haben

TIME Magazine celebrated my disability justice work by including me in TIME 100 Talks, a video series spotlighting influential people. I was surprised and honored. My excitement turned to disappointment when I checked the video — no captions, no audio descriptions, and no transcript. The TIME 100 video featuring me was not accessible to me. … Read more

The robots occupying our sidewalks

Haben Girma and her guide dog Mylo walking on the sidewalks of downtown Mountain View, CA.

The robot, shaped like a large cooler on wheels, zipped along somewhere ahead of me. My left hand clasped the smooth leather harness of my German shepherd guide dog. “Mylo, forward.” The speed of his four short legs complemented the strides of my longer two — call it the six feet fox trot. Together we … Read more

My First New York Times essay, plus book updates

I’m on the left edge of the book cover looking right. I’m wearing a blue dress, pearl earrings, and my black hair is over my left shoulder. It’s the same photo on the English cover, but zoomed in. The text says Haben Girma across the top, and then Korean text across the bottom half

I published my very first essay in the New York Times! The essay appears in the Times’ special edition celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act: “What the A.D.A. Means to Me.” Today Hachette Book Group is releasing the paperback version of my book, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. … Read more

One of my Oldest Fears: Snakes

I’m standing on a ridge overlooking the green and yellow hills of Portola Valley. My arms are crossed, and Mylo’s leash is looped through an arm.

On Saturday Seeing Eye dog Mylo, Gordon, and I explored a new Bay Area neighborhood with woodsy trail-like sidewalks. The sun slid past the horizon as we made our way back to the car. Gordon walked on my right, swinging a flashlight. Mylo moved ahead on my left, guiding with his usual confidence. Then Gordon’s … Read more

Service Dog Teams Need Your Help, and You Can Do This From Home

Haben and Mylo next to guide dog statue at The Seeing Eye

As we stay home and practice physical distancing, there is something we can do to help protect our ability to fly with our dogs in the future. The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed adding new restrictions for service dogs traveling on airplanes, chipping away at the freedoms advocates fought for decades to protect. My … Read more

Applauding Crip Camp, the New Netflix Doc on Love, Community & Justice

Haben is sitting on a sofa beside a laptop showing Crip Camp. Her braille computer is on her lap, as well as the head of Mister Mylo the German Shepherd who is attentively watching the screen

We received another ray of hope this week. On March 25 Netflix released Crip Camp, a documentary that dives into the wild lives of disabled teens who grapple with isolation, find love at a summer camp, build community, and grow into fierce advocates for equality. Their joyous laughter, their tenacity, their creative ways of supporting … Read more

We were on Jeopardy!

A blue background with white text that reads, "Haben Girma, who advocates for disability rights, was the first Deafblind person to graduate from this law school."

On Monday January 27, host Alex Trebek presented this clue on Jeopardy! Heather Nelson, a math teacher from Lake Oswego, Oregon, responded immediately. “What is Harvard?” The TV screen showed a photo of me with my first guide dog Maxine. She and I shared many walks through Lake Oswego when we lived in Portland. Congratulations, … Read more