Directory of Senior Fellows

2026 -2027 Senior Fellows

Photo of Judy Brewer

Judy Brewer

Disability-Inclusive Tech Policy Strategist
2026 Disability 20 (D20) Steering Council

United States

Judy Brewer is a Senior Fellow at the World Institute on Disability, specializing in disability-inclusive technology policymaking, and serving as a 2026 Disability20 (D20) Group Member. She is a former Executive Fellow in Applied Technology Policy at the University of California, Berkeley School of Information and Goldman School of Public Policy; the former Assistant Director for Accessibility at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP); and a digital accessibility expert at the Partnership for Public Service. Previously, Brewer directed the Web Accessibility Initiative at the World Wide Web Consortium, where she led development of the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and was a principal research scientist at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). She has received awards for contributions to computing from ACM SIGACCESS, and the 2021 ACM Policy Award; and previously for advancing assistive technology policy, increasing accessibility of the Windows 95 operating system, and for digital accessibility leadership.

headshot of Global Heumann Fellow, Rhomir Yanquiling, Philippines

Rhomir Yanquiling

Philippines

To learn more about Rhomir and his research, visit our meet Rhomir Yanquiling page.

2024 -2025 Global Heumann Fellowship Cohort

Headshot of Kasim Sajjabi, Global Heumann Fellow

Kasim Rashid Sajjabi, MSc

Uganda

To learn more about Kasim and his research, visit our Meet Kasim Rashid Sajjabi, MSc page. 

Headshot of Robbie Francis Watene, Global Heumann Fellow

Robbie Francis Watene, PhD

Aotearoa, New Zealand

To learn more about Robbie and her research, visit our Meet Robbie Francis Watene, PhD page.

Headshot of Munir Sewani, PhD, Global Heumann Fellow

Munir Sewani, PhD

Pakistan

To learn more about Munir and his research, visit our Meet Munir Sewani, PhD page.

WID x Disability Justice Project

WID is proud to announce our partnership with the Disability Justice Project! Under the guidance of DJP Founding Executive Director Jody Santos, the inaugural cohort of Global Heumann Fellows is receiving virtual training in documentary storytelling. Using iPhone kits equipped with powerful accessibility features, the fellows are exploring inclusive approaches to filmmaking. Their final videos will complement the white papers at the end of the year long fellowship, showcasing initiatives that advance disability rights and disability justice within their communities.