The Power of Disability Part 6 — with Barb Goode

Below the Radar

This final installment of the Power of Disability series highlights an unsung hero of the disability movement, Barb Goode. Host Al Etmanski is in conversation with Barb about her work around self-advocacy for people with learning and developmental disabilities. Barb speaks to the importance of plain language and the harm that comes from labelling people. She also recounts organizing efforts around a milestone legal struggle to prevent the forced sterilization of people with disabilities. In this interview, Barb is joined by her friend and colleague, Aaron Johannes. In addition to being connected through involvement with PLAN, they collaborate on consulting projects around disability and inclusion with ImagineACircle. “I think words are very powerful. If we use complicated words, you're going to leave people out of conversations.” - Barb Goode Full episode details: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/series/the-power-of-disability/barb-goode.html Read the transcript: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/transcripts/barb-goode.html **A note about the discussion at the 9:30 mark: the “R” word refers to a derogatory term that used to be used to describe people with a developmental or intellectual disability. While not as common today, it is still being used, and it is still hurtful. ABOUT THE SERIES The Power of Disability is a series of Below the Radar. Host Al Etmanski brings us enlightening conversations, featuring guests with disabilities who have been influential in arts, activism, science, and more. This series is a continuation of the work Al has shared in the book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World, which reveals that people with disabilities are the invisible force that has shaped history. Resources: — The Goode Life: Memoirs of Disability Rights Activist Barb Goode: https://spectrumpress.myshopify.com/products/the-goode-life-memoirs-of-disability-rights-activist-barb-goode — “Barb Goode – Unsung Hero of the Disability Movement” on Al Etmanksi’s blog: https://aletmanski.com/impact/barb-goode/ — ImagineACircle consulting: https://imagineacircle.com/ — PLAN Institute: https://planinstitute.ca/ — EVE Supreme Court of Canada case: https://eugenicsarchive.ca/discover/tree/5232a7b75c2ec5000000001d — NFB film: The Sterilization of Leilani Muir: https://www.nfb.ca/film/sterilization_of_leilani_muir/ — BC People First: https://bcpeoplefirst.com/home — Al Etmanski’s website: www.aletmanski.com — The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World: https://aletmanski.com/books/ Bio: Barb is a self-advocate leader who has helped shape the disability movement into what it is today. She is a founding member of BC People First, and has been on the Boards of Inclusion BC, the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), and International Inclusion. Dr. Aaron Johannes is the proud parent, with his partner Gary, of six fostered, adopted and nearly-adopted children with various labels. For 30 years, until his retirement in 2018, Aaron was one of the Co-Directors of Spectrum Society. Cite this episode: Chicago Style Etmanski, Al. “The Power of Disability Part 6 — with Barb Goode.” Below the Radar, SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Podcast audio, May 27, 2021. https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/series/the-power-of-disability/barb-goode.html