One Step Closer to Eliminating the "R-Word"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On November 17, Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (Democrat- Maryland) and Michael B. Enzi (Republican-Wyoming) introduced Rosa’s Law, a bill designed to eliminate the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from most federal usage. Rosa’s Law, named after one of Mikulski’s young constituents in Maryland who has Down’s syndrome, requires the use of the terms “intellectual disabilities” and “person with an intellectual disability” in place of the older, stigmatizing terms. The Maryland State Assembly recently passed a similar bill.

About 6 million adults and children have an intellectual disability. Several other laws still use “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded”, including No Child Left Behind, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the current health care reform legislation under consideration.

SOURCE:

Rosa's Law to End Term 'Mentally Retarded'

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/rosas-law-asks-senate-kill-slur-mentally-retarded/story?id=9109319&page=2

RELATED:

What's in a name? Legislation would end use of the term 'mental retardation'

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/11/whats-in-a-name-legislation-would-end-use-of-the-term-mental-retardation.html

Senators Propose Replacing ‘Mental Retardation’ With ‘Intellectual Disability’

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/11/17/intellectual-disability-bill/6224/