President Obama celebrated the signing of “Rosa’s Law” at an East Room ceremony honoring of 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, the Maryland girl with Down syndrome who was its inspiration. The law ends the use of the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” in federal health, education and labor laws. “It’s so inspiring to have her here,” the president said, looking over at Rosa.

“The most important thing about Rosa’s Law is respect,” said Paul Marcellino, Rosa’s father. “For all her peers, all her friends. Everybody who she’s around. They won’t be using that word to describe my daughter anymore. That’s the main thing.”

A sampling of coverage:

• ABC News names Rosa Marcellino its “Person of the Week.” The piece, with video, is accompanied by a string of vitriolic reader comments criticizing the law and its intent.
• Obama praises Maryland girl who inspired new law — Baltimore Sun
• Sen. Mikulski joins inspiration for Rosa’s law at White House Ceremony — Capital News Service

Strikes term ‘mentally retarded’ from federal statutes

Chicago Sun-Times, Southern Maryland Online

The measure will eliminate the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from federal education, health and labor laws.

“This law takes ‘mentally retarded’ out of the federal law books and replaces it with ‘intellectual disability,’ a change that will have a positive effect on more than 6 million Americans,”  said Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), one of the measure’s sponsors.

Earlier posts here.

Would eliminate term ‘mentally retarded’ from federal law

Press releases from Sen. Barbara Mikulski, The ARC of the United States:

Acting unanimously, the House of Representatives last night approved a bill to remove the terms “mentally retarded” and “mental retardation” from federal education, health and labor laws. The measure, called “Rosas’ Law” in honor of a Maryland girl who has Down syndrome, has already passed the Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama.

“This law is about families fighting for the respect and dignity of their loved ones,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), one of the measure’s sponsors. “This change will have a positive effect on more than 6 million Americans.” She said the law will make the language of federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and the United Nations, and will not affect any services, rights, responsibilities or educational opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Rosa’s law substitutes the terms “intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability” for the earlier terms, now considered outdated and stigmatizing by many self-advocates and their families. It does not cover entitlement programs, which include SSI, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Peter V. Berns, CEO of The ARC of the United States, hailed the measure’s passage as “another historic milestone in our movement.”

“We understand that language plays a crucial role in how people with intellectual disabilities are perceived and treated in society,” Berns said in a statement. “Changing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil and human rights.”

Disability advocate Dave Hingsburger uses Jennifer Aniston’s recent gaffe (calling herself a “retard” during a televised interview)  as an opportunity to examine the word’s implications in modern society. His conclusion: The word is an unacceptable attack on a group of people who have historically been marginalized, stigmatized and oppressed. An excerpt:

The people who ‘ARE’ what the ‘R’ word refers to have a long history.

They have been torn from families and cast into institutions.

They have been beaten, hosed down, over medicated, under nourished, sterilized, brutalized, victimized.

They have been held captive, have been enslaved, have had their being given over to the state.

They are the group in society most likely to be physically, sexually and financially abused.

They are the group least likely to see justice, experience fair play, receive accommodation or support within the justice system.

… The ‘R’ word is an attack on a people who know discrimination. Tremble when you say it. Because those who should know better will be held accountable to those who know best.

From the Los Angeles Times ‘Ministry of Gossip’ blog, US Magazine, press release from the National Down Syndrome Society:

Actress Jennifer Aniston used the word “retard” during a television interview Thursday, drawing criticism from disability advocacy groups.

Appearing on Live with Regis and Kelly (video here), Aniston was discussing a recent Harper’s Bazaar photo shoot in which she wore costumes in the style of Barbra Streisand.

“You’re playing dress-up!” Regis told her. She replied, “Yes, I play dress-up! I do it for a living, like a retard!” The remark drew laughter from the studio audience and guest cohost Kristin Cruz.

“Frankly, someone in her position ought to know better,” Peter Berns, chief exec of The Arc (a nonprofit advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities), told Us Weekly. “She is using language that is offensive to a large segment of the population in this country … …Every time folks hear that word, it kind of reminds them of all the discrimination and oppression they’ve experienced in their lives. Even if it wasn’t intended to insult them, that is the effect of it.”

… “Sadly, people use the word pervasively even if they don’t realize it,” said Kirsten Seckler, spokeswoman for the Special Olympics. “People with intellectual disabilities have fought their whole lives for understanding and recognition. When people continue to use the R word, it’s hurtful.”

Sarah Schleider, communications VP of the National Down Syndrome Society, released a letter inviting Aniston to work on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities. An excerpt:

This statement is indicative of the inaccurate and ignorant stereotypes that are all too common in our culture. People with Down syndrome are capable of intelligent thought, understanding and behavior and should not be referenced as a way of commenting on one’s own intellect or life choices, in either a humorous or serious manner.

At the National Down Syndrome Society, we understand that this type of comment is often the result of a lack of information and/or a lack of exposure to people with cognitive disabilities. We hope that you take this opportunity to educate yourself about cognitive disabilities and gain a better understanding.

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.

From Thegovmonitor.com:

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this week signed legislation that removes outdated and demeaning descriptions of people with disabilities from state law and regulation.

The bill eliminates such terms as “mentally retarded” and “feeble-minded,” which are considered offensive by many. Replacing them are terms like “intellectual disability” and “developmental disability.” The new law also promotes what is called “person-first” language, as in “a person with a disability,” rather than “a disabled person.”

“We live in the 21st Century and our laws must reflect that distinction,” said Governor Christie. “Those with intellectual disabilities are an important part of the fabric of New Jersey.  Using antiquated, degrading terms to describe individuals with disabilities is an affront to the integrity of the person and their family, and below our common decency as a people.  I am proud to move the language of New Jersey’s laws and regulations beyond such terminology.”

See also:

Gov. Chris Christie approves NJ law removing offensive references to people with disabilities — NJ.com

NJ bans the word ‘retarded’ — Newser.com

Christie signs law updating how NJ refers to ‘disabled’ — NorthJersey.com

New law removes disrespectful language from statutes — NewJerseyNewsroom.com