Maria Barile
To her memory: 1953 - 2013
Maria Barile
A major icon within the women’s disability rights in Quebec and Canada.
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The Eco-Access
With more than thirty years experience as a community worker with women with disabilities, Maria Barile was one of the original group of 17 women that started Dis- Abled Women’s Network (DAWN) Canada and one of the founders of Action des femmes handicapées (Montréal). In the 1980's, Maribe Barile was an employment counsellor for people with disabilities at L’ ETAPE.
Had published in the area of disability, feminism, and technology, Maria offers workshops and lectures on issues of ableism / disableism. In the past 20 years she presented to various commissions on the use of depo provera, violence and other issues that effect women with disabilities and has advocated to improve access to the health care system and women’s shelters (for women with disabilities).
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Condolence Notes >>
Maria was a courageous advocate and valued friend and colleague. She leaves us with a legacy of determination, strength, and perseverance in the face of difficulty and challenges. I very much admired Maria in life and continue to do so in death. Her final contribution as an organ donor should inspire us all.
Catherine Fichten
Even though I had not known Maria for a long time, she taught me a lot about how one person could help others. Her belief in advocacy and in the power of the individual has deeply touched me. Maria was also a very good mentor on projects that otherwise would have been very difficult to complete. She was a caring and compassionate person who strongly believed in equality, which I will always remember.
Mary Jorgensen
Maria always had the most positive demeanor. She had an aura around her that glowed and attracted people to her. She was optimistic about almost everything. She fought hard for what she believed in and in turn, changed many people’s lives for the better. Some of the things Maria has taught me are to always fight for what you believe in, to never give up, to never let good opportunities go by, and to believe in yourself despite what others think.
Jillian Budd
Canadian disabled women’s leader – Maria Barile (1953-2013)
Disabled women are becoming more visible in the disability movement
She was a leader in our understanding of issues related to the enhanced marginalization faced by women with disabilities who were also a member of racial ethnic groups. Her contribution cannot be meaured as it has been so significant.
Use universal design to eliminate physical barriers
Passionate and bold, Maria took the streets in 1988 to denounce Montreal metro’s inacessibility with several other American activists, while other disabled people’s groups remained silent out of fear of losing any gain they had achieved.
A great defender of the rights of people living with disabilities
Maria was one of the rare people who was not afraid to talk about disability discrimination and who fought to include everyone-regardless of their culture, religion or sexual orientation.