Editorial writers at the [Bergen County, NJ] Record offer praise for a new state law that removes outdated terminology like “mentally retarded,” “feeble-minded” and “physically or mentally defective” from New Jersey law and rulebooks. An excerpt:

Talk about a revolution. Within little more than a generation, we’ve advanced from assuming lesser futures for citizens with disabilities to requiring their full participation in public schools and workplaces. We are learning more about how to maximize the health and talents of every one of us, all the time. Though there is much more to be done – housing for adults with disabilities is a shameful example – the results already are stunning. Consider the life expectancy of an adult with Down syndrome, which has doubled to more than 50 since the mid-1980s.

These victories arrived after years of lobbying by families who refused to hide. They came after our nation changed its ideas about the rights and the potential of citizens with disabilities. They came after the cruel jokes stopped and serious conversation began.

“Words matter – it’s that simple,” said Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, whose daughter has an intellectual disability.

Indeed. And if today’s accepted terms become outdated, if families affected by disability demand new words, we will rewrite the laws and rulebooks. Again.

See also: Opponents of R-word win key legislative victory in New Jersey — Fox News

Earlier post here.

Related posts here.

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