At just 25 years old, Haben Girma etched her name into history books by achieving something no one had before: becoming the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School.
Born to Eritrean and Ethiopian parents who immigrated to the United States seeking a better life, Haben grew up navigating a world not built with her in mind. Yet from a young age, she developed the determination to challenge the limits that society often placed on people with disabilities.
Haben, who lost her vision and hearing due to an unknown progressive condition, never saw her disability as a barrier — instead, she saw it as a catalyst for innovation and change. With the support of accessible technologies, including a digital Braille device and a team of interpreters and transcribers, she forged a path through one of the most competitive academic institutions in the world.
At Harvard Law, she didn’t just survive — she thrived. She engaged in complex legal debates, participated in clinics, and proved again and again that accessibility doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means leveling the playing field.
But her mission didn’t stop at graduation. Haben turned her personal success into global advocacy. She now travels the world as a disability rights lawyer, speaker, and author, sharing her story and pushing for stronger legislation, better accessibility in education and the workplace, and more inclusive design across all sectors of life.
“Disability is an opportunity for innovation,” she often says — a belief that drives her work and resonates with anyone who’s ever faced adversity.
In a world that often views disability through a lens of limitation, Haben Girma’s story is a radiant counterpoint — a testament to resilience, brilliance, and the power of inclusion. Her journey is not just about personal triumph; it’s about reimagining what’s possible when no one is left out of the conversation.
Today, Haben continues to advocate for a world where everyone — regardless of ability — has equal access to opportunity, education, and justice. And she reminds us all: when doors are opened, greatness walks through — sometimes with a cane, always with courage