Siân Heder, the filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning “CODA,” is returning to the big screen with “Being Heumann,” a film highlighting disability rights activist Judy Heumann. The project, which premieres in theaters on November 6 and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ starting November 13, tells the story of Heumann’s pivotal role in advancing disability rights legislation in the United States.

Heumann, who used a wheelchair for most of her life after contracting polio as a child, is widely recognized as a foundational figure in the disability rights movement. She was instrumental in ensuring federal enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. Despite the law’s passage, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare delayed its implementation for several years. At age 29, Heumann led a 26-day sit-in protest at a San Francisco federal building in 1977, the longest occupation of a federal building in U.S. history. This and other simultaneous protests nationwide pressured HEW Secretary Joseph Califano, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the film, to enforce the regulation. Heumann also worked in the Clinton and Obama administrations and passed away in 2023.

Heder, a Cambridge native who met with Marvel studios about directing projects after her success with “CODA,” chose instead to bring Heumann’s story to film as a continuation of her commitment to disability narratives. Prior to Heumann’s death, Heder collaborated closely with her for two years to adapt the activist’s memoir of the same name, co-written with Rebekah Taussig. For Heder, the film became a personal mission, embracing the responsibility to tell Heumann’s story authentically.

The lead role is played by British actress Ruth Madeley, a wheelchair user with spina bifida who has been deeply engaged with disability advocacy and storytelling. Madeley said portraying Heumann was the most significant acting challenge of her career, describing it as an honor and a responsibility due to Heumann’s profound impact on the disabled community.

In addition to portraying key figures like Congressman George Miller, enacted by Rob Delaney, the film features a diverse cast composed predominantly of actors with disabilities, including several wheelchair users, blind actors, deaf performers, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Heder and her team made extensive efforts to create an accessible and flexible set that accommodated the varied needs of the cast and crew, a process they described as challenging and instructive.

“Being Heumann” is seen by Heder and Madeley as more than a biopic; it is a statement on inclusive filmmaking practices. Heder hopes the film serves as a model for the industry to develop accessible productions that respect and empower disabled artists. Reflecting on her upbringing in the diverse environment of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Heder credits that experience with shaping her commitment to highlighting marginalized voices on screen.

The film’s release marks Heder’s continued focus on disability-centered stories, following the critical and commercial acclaim of “CODA,” which also featured themes related to deaf culture and accessibility. Through “Being Heumann,” Heder aims to keep disability rights history visible and inspire further dialogue about inclusion both on and off screen.