Today: Spread the Word to End the "R-Word"

The word “retard” as a human label has never been acceptable!

Years ago, terms such as "feebleminded, mental defective, idiot and moron" had functional meanings and were acceptable medical terms. Initially, "retardation" replaced older terms because it was less stigmatizing. However, by the 1960s, that term was also fostering stigma. Today, an attitude shift is taking place toward people with intellectual disabilities, and new terms reflect positive changes and avoid stigma. Reject depersonalizing phrases such as "the mentally retarded" in favor of person-first language such as "person who has an intellectual disability".

For more details, see the archived post, “A Brief History of the R-Word”

No-Cost Disability Law Handbook

The DBTAC Southwest ADA Center announces the publication of The Disability Law Handbook, a 50-page guide to the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related laws.

The Disability Law Handbook answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments.

Individual copies of The Disability Law Handbook are available at no charge by emailing Rauseo@bcm.edu , or by calling Dionne Rauseo at 713.520.0232, ext.113. Other publicctions are available at: http://www.dlrp.org/html/publications/index.html
Listen to the Disability Law Lowdown Podcast at http://dll.ada-podcast.com

March 31- Spread the Word to End the Word Event

"R-word" awareness actitivities are scheduled nation-wide to "Spread the Word to End the Word", a campaign to stop the use of the word "retard". The "R Word" and stigmatizing references to people with intellectual disaiblities recently made headlines with President Obama's remarks on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". View a clip of his comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0yAEvVsUo (various clips are available).

Through “Spread the Word to End the Word,” an on-line youth rally Live stream will occur at www.schooltube.com, 12:35 PM Eastern Time. R-word Pledge Rallies will take place at
American University, Beirut, lebanon; all high schools in state of Delaware; school in the Fort Worth Independent School District, Texas; at the University of Kansas, Western Michigan University, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Princeton University, and Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania, just to name a few. Visit http://www.specialolympics.org/03-31-09_Spread_the_Word.aspx.

Several Critical Legislative Events This Week

WASHINGTON, DC— Several important legislative events are on slate this week, as reported by the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association through the ARC/UCP Capitol Insider.

Tuesday, March 24:

• Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) will introduce the Community Choice Act (CCA) in both Houses of Congress. Under the CCA, people with disabilities and older people will select care options and supports in their own homes and communities. As Senators, both President Obama and Vice President Biden were CCA co-sponsors
• The House Education and Labor Committee will hold "The Importance of Early Childhood Development." For more information, please visit: http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2009/03/the-importance-of-early-childh.shtml
• The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold "Making Health Care Work for American Families: Ensuring Affordable Coverage." Visit the following link for additional information: http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1534&Itemid=1

Wednesday, March 25:

• The Senate Finance Committee's Heath Subcommittee, Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chair, will hold "What is Health Care Quality and Who Decides?" For more information, click on http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing031809.htm
• The House Homeland Security Committee will hold "PKEMRA (Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act) Implementation: An Examination of FEMA's Preparedness and Response Mission." Details are available at: http://homeland.house.gov/about/schedule.asp
  
  
  

Meeting the Challenge, Inc. Undertakes Major Transportation Survey

DIRECT from Meeting the Challenge, Inc. --
In conjunction with a Federal Transit Administration grant, Meeting the Challenge, Inc. is collecting information from people with disabilities regarding their experiences with public transportation. Information will be used to create Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) technical assistance materials directed toward alleviating transport barriers. Access the 5 to 10 minute survey at http://mtcinc.transit.sgizmo.com . For a paper copy, call 1-800-864-4264 (select menu choice #2), Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (MT). The survey closes March 31, 2009.
Message Courtesy of:
Cristi L. Harris
Special Projects Director
Meeting the Challenge, Inc
(800) 949-4232 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
(719) 444-0252 ext. 108

DI on Hiatus Until March 23

Disability Intel is on hiatus until Monday, March 23, 2009.

Students with LD Denied Extra MCAT Time

CALIFORNIA--The California Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of four student with learning disabilities who filed a class-action lawsuit in 2004 against the Association of American Medical Colleges, administrator of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The students, who have various learning disabilities including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder had requested additional time and other accommodations on the MCAT but had been denied. The California Supreme Court's decision to not hear the case leaves an earlier ruling against the students in place. The AAMC case attorney notes, "This leaves in place the AAMC's ability to have a single, uniform policy for handling accommodation requests, regardless of the state in which the examinee is located". Three of the four students have since completed the MCAT and gone to medical school.SOURCE:Calif. Court Denies Extra MCAT Time for Students with Learning Disabilitieshttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/02/prsb0302.htm