Obama remark spurs anger at state conference
March 23rd, 2009
“Intellectual disabilities mean delays. It means things might come more slowly, but it doesn’t mean lack of competence.”
– Madeleine Will, VP of public policy, National Down Syndrome Society
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From the [Worcester, MA] Telegram:
President Barack Obama’s Special Olympics remark sparked a fierce backlash among those who gathered at the 25h annual conference of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress last weekend.
Keynote speaker Melissa Reilly, a skier who holds a silver medal for the slalom in the international Special Olympics, took issue with the president’s quip.
“I don’t want anybody insulting Special Olympics because we are very unique, special kids that do the Special Olympics and we have faith in what we do,” said Ms. Reilly, 22. “That was not a wise comment that he said about Special Olympics, and an athlete doesn’t deserve it.”
Madeleine Will, vice president of public policy for the National Down Syndrome Society, said much remains to be done to enable young adults with Down syndrome to achieve their full potential.
“What we have are these amazing young people who finish school and finish their education and they are ready to be employed, productive and living independently,” Ms. Will said. “And the support system is not geared to meeting the needs of these young people.”
… As for Mr. Obama’s remark, Ms. Will said it’s an opportunity for people to reflect on how language can be denigrating, disrespectful and, most importantly, impede the efforts of young people with Down syndrome from getting jobs and being independent.
“There’s research that shows that the average person does not believe someone with an intellectual disability and Down syndrome can read, that they can’t be employed, live independently, follow directions, handle an emergency,” Ms. Will insisted. “All of that is wrong. It’s false.”
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