Haben Girma

Introduction: A Trailblazer Redefining Access

Haben Girma stands as a globally recognized beacon of advocacy, skillfully bridging the worlds of entertainment and civil rights. As the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, Haben Girma has transformed personal challenge into a powerful platform for systemic change. Her remarkable story is not just one of overcoming barriers but of dismantling them for others, making her one of the most influential Disability Rights Advocates of our time. Born in 1988 with roots in Eritrea and raised in the United States, Girma’s key achievement lies in her successful advocacy for digital and physical accessibility, influencing giants like Apple, Microsoft, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She masterfully uses storytelling and public speaking—core elements of entertainment—to educate and inspire, proving that disability is an opportunity for innovation.

Early Life & Education: Forging a Path Through Sound and Silence

Haben Girma was born in 1988 in California, to an Eritrean mother and an Ethiopian father. Her family’s journey from Eritrea to the United States is a foundational part of her identity. Girma was born Deafblind, with progressive hearing loss and limited sight, conditions she inherited from her mother. She learned to navigate a world not designed for her from a young age, using a combination of assistive technologies, including a digital Braille device, and her now-famous guide dog, Mylo.

Her educational journey is a testament to her determination. She attended mainstream schools, advocating for her own accommodations. This advocacy continued at Lewis & Clark College, where she earned a B.A. in 2010, magna cum laude, in History/Sociology-Anthropology. It was here that she pioneered a system for communicating with professors and peers using a Bluetooth keyboard connected to a Braille display. This innovative spirit propelled her to Harvard Law School. In 2013, Haben Girma made history by becoming the first Deafblind person to graduate from the prestigious institution, earning her Juris Doctor degree. Her time at Harvard was marked by her relentless work to ensure accessible course materials, setting a precedent for future students with disabilities.

Career & Major Achievements: Architect of an Accessible World

Following law school, Haben Girma channeled her expertise into impactful legal and advocacy work. She served as a Skadden Fellow at Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a non-profit law firm. Here, she played a pivotal role in landmark cases that reshaped accessibility standards across industries.

Landmark Legal Victories

One of her most significant early victories was in the case against Scribd, a major e-book subscription service. Girma and the DRA argued that the company’s failure to provide accessible digital books for blind readers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This 2015 case was a watershed moment, establishing that the ADA applies to digital spaces—a principle now fundamental to web accessibility. Her advocacy extended to the physical realm as well, notably in a case against Peet’s Coffee & Tea, which led to the installation of accessible point-of-sale devices in their stores nationwide.

Global Influence and Speaking

Girma’s influence quickly transcended the courtroom. She has advised world leaders and tech executives on inclusive design. In a defining moment, she presented at the White House in 2015 for the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Her 2016 keynote speech at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) underscored her role in pushing tech entertainment and tools toward universal access. She has also spoken at the Parliament of the United Kingdom and for organizations like the National Federation of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind.

Author and Storyteller

In 2019, Girma authored the bestselling memoir Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. The book, itself published in accessible formats from day one, chronicles her life with wit and warmth, sharing stories from her childhood to her historic achievements. It won critical acclaim, including the Christopher Award, and solidified her status as a powerful storyteller within the entertainment and literary world. Through her book and speeches, she reframes disability narratives from ones of pity to ones of potential and innovation.

• First Deafblind Harvard Law Graduate (2013): Broke barriers in higher education.
• Keynote at Apple WWDC (2016): Influenced one of the world's leading tech and entertainment companies on accessibility.
• Scribd ADA Case Victory: Helped set legal precedent for digital accessibility.
• Bestselling Author (2019): Shared her story globally, reaching mainstream audiences.
• Named a White House Champion of Change (2013): Recognized by President Obama for her advocacy.

Personal Life & Legacy: Beyond the Advocacy

While her professional life is public, Haben Girma maintains a focus on joy and adventure in her personal life. She is an avid salsa dancer, surfer, and hiker, activities she adapts to her senses of touch and vibration. These pursuits are central to her message: disability does not preclude a full, adventurous life. She often travels with her guide dog, who has become a familiar companion to her audiences worldwide.

Her legacy is one of transformative change. Haben Girma has fundamentally shifted how corporations, educational institutions, and governments view accessibility—not as an afterthought or a legal obligation, but as a source of creativity and a gateway to a broader market and community. She inspires a new generation of disabled youth, particularly those of color and from immigrant backgrounds like her Eritrean heritage, to dream without limits. Her work ensures that the tools of modern life—from streaming services and e-books to coffee shops and workplaces—are open to all, making the world more inclusive one innovation at a time.

Net Worth & Business Ventures

While Haben Girma’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, her financial success stems from a multifaceted career as a professional speaker, bestselling author, and legal consultant. She commands significant fees for her keynote speeches to major corporations, universities, and global conferences, placing her among the top-tier professional speakers in the advocacy and diversity sectors. Revenue from her bestselling memoir, Haben, contributes substantially to her income. Furthermore, she runs her own speaking and consulting business, through which she advises Fortune 500 companies and international organizations on disability inclusion strategies. Rather than traditional business ventures, Girma’s enterprise is built on her unique expertise and personal brand, transforming advocacy into a sustainable career that amplifies her message of accessibility worldwide. Her financial independence underscores the viability and demand for disability leadership in the global market.

Biography compiled from credible sources including her official website, memoir, and major news publications covering disability rights and entertainment.