Haben Girma

5 out of 5

First Deafblind Graduate of Harvard Law School & Bestselling Author

Berkeley, CA, USA
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Haben Girma Biography

The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is an award-winning advocate, author, and keynote speaker. She earned the Helen Keller Achievement Award, reached Forbes 30 under 30, and President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change. She believes disability challenges are opportunities for innovation, sparking new technologies that move society forward. Haben travels the globe teaching organizations how to build stronger, resilient, and more connected communities.

Her bestselling book "Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law" takes readers on adventures around the world, including training with a guide dog in New Jersey, climbing an iceberg in Alaska, fighting for blind readers at a courthouse in Vermont, and talking with President Biden and President Obama at The White House. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating book shows how we can resist isolation and find the keys to connection. The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, TODAY Show, and Stephen Curry have all praised the book.

A spellbinding speaker, her keynotes have touched the stages of Apple, Bottega Veneta, Disney, Gartner, Google, Microsoft, Oxford University, and many more. Her engaging presentations ignite audiences to make positive changes in their communities. TIME included her as a speaker in TIME100 Talks.

In 2023 she became one of the first leaders appointed to serve as a Commissioner for the World Health Organization’s new Commission on Social Connection.

Girma was born and raised in California, where she currently lives. She travels with her Seeing Eye dog Mylo. He often falls asleep during her keynotes.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/13/2025.

Haben Girma Speaking Topics

  • Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

    As a Deafblind child in a sighted-hearing world, Haben faced the choice of accepting barriers or advocating for justice. Her self-advocacy soon grew to advocating for others, leading her to sharpen her skills at Harvard Law and beyond. She champions the belief that challenges are opportunities to develop new, better solutions. Through powerful stories infused with humor, Haben’s presentations help audiences increase creative problem-solving.

  • Gaining the Innovation Advantage

    What do iPhones, jacuzzis, and audiobooks have in common? The brilliance of disabled people sparked the creation of countless products, and the above are just three of them. As a Deafblind woman living in a mostly inaccessible world, Haben has developed stellar innovative skills that allows her to dance past barriers. Many disabled people similarly have strong problem-solving skills that launch cutting edge inventions. Reports by Accenture have shown that companies leading in accessible hiring, marketing, and design outperform their competitors. The global accessibility market, disabled people and their communities purchasing accessible products and services, is worth over $13 trillion annually. Organizations that prioritize accessibility benefit by tapping into a larger market, improving the experience for both disabled and nondisabled people, boosting brand loyalty, and increasing innovation. Haben’s keynotes share entertaining stories from her personal journey, sprinkled with delightful humor, and wisdom that helps build stronger, more innovative communities.

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Haben Girma Videos

Haben Girma: How did a deafblind woman conquer Harvard Law

Haben Girma: How did a deafblind woman conquer Harvard Law

In a new memoir, Haben Girma, the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, reflects on her Eritrean-American childhood and journey to becoming...

Why disability is an asset | Haben Girma | IIS 2016 - YouTube

Why disability is an asset | Haben Girma | IIS 2016 - YouTube

At India Inclusion Summit 2016, internationally acclaimed accessibility leader Haben Girma talked about inclusion and how disability helped ...

Keynote: Haben Girma

Keynote: Haben Girma

For many, Haben Girma's wit, charm, and public speaking ability have turned their perceptions of people with disabilities upside down.

  • How do I book Haben Girma to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Haben Girma

    Speaking fees for Haben Girma, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Haben Girma are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Haben Girma, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Haben Girma speak about?

    Haben Girma is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Civil Rights, Disability, Government, Health & Wellness, Inspirational, Law, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism
  • Where does Haben Girma travel from?

    Haben Girma generally travels from Berkeley, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Haben Girma’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Haben Girma for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Haben Girma for your next private or corporate function.
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Haben Girma is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Transforming Challenges into Opportunities, Gaining the Innovation Advantage, Accessibility: A Conversation with Haben Girma, Leadership and Advocacy and Disability & Innovation: The Universal Benefits of Inclusive Design. The estimated speaking fee range to book Haben Girma for your event is available upon request. Haben Girma generally travels from Berkeley, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are J.R. Martinez, Marlee Matlin, Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown, Kylar Broadus and Tiffany Yu. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Haben Girma for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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