Senators Give Nod To Bill Removing ‘Mental Retardation’ From Law

[The Straight Story]

Senators Give Nod To Bill Removing ‘Mental Retardation’ From Law


A Senate committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to replace the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in some parts of federal government, sending the measure to the full Senate for consideration.

The bill, known as “Rosa’s Law” would alter terminology used in federal health, education and labor policy, but would not change the rights of individuals with disabilities. The proposed change is not expected to incur any cost, so advocates are optimistic that the measure will be passed into law with little fanfare.

Many states have already begun using the term intellectual disability, as do some federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The measure now heads to the full Senate after being approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee. Advocates say they hope the House of Representatives will take up a companion bill to Rosa’s Law soon.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/05/26/rosas-law-senate/8795/

[msongs]

1. I can hear George Carlin now lol...oh wait, he's already talked about this kind of thing nt

[Hubert Flottz]

2. I hope Rushtard is PC...

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. It's not. n/t

[hlthe2b]

3. I'm all for being respectful...

but I am really not sure I get this. Certainly the term has been misused, but it is, at its core, a scientific term. I guess if it works for the advocates, who am I to question.... :shrug:

[Jackpine Radical]

4. There's a long history of "euphemization" of terms for people with reduced

cognitive capacities.

"Idiot," "imbecile,' and "moron" are archaic technical terms, each defined in terms of IQ, and corresponding to Profound, Moderate/Severe, and Mild Mental deficiency. Oops- that term was changed to mental retardation. I mean "mentally challenged." Oops-I mean, uh, what was that latest euphemism again?

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. Is "African American" a euphemism?

"Retardation" It's a term which is offensive to those who live with it. That's good enough for me.

[madrchsod]

5. i think it`s a welcome change...

the term mental retardation has been corrupted over the years.it`s going to be really hard to corrupt intellectual disability

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Good

Long overdue.

This is my field. You have no idea how hard it is to look at a parent and tell them their child is mentally retarded.

[unabelladonna]

7. how 'bout intellectual handi-capable

soon intellectual "disability" will be deemed offensive. let's do it all at once.

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Excellent.

I have friends who have successfully lobbied to get this enacted at the state level.