Congress changes intellectual disability wording

AP ^ | Sept 23, 2010 | JIM ABRAMS

[facedodge]

WASHINGTON – Disabilities advocates are applauding Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term "mental retardation" from federal laws. The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase "mentally retarded" to "an individual with an intellectual disability" in existing health, education and labor law. Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, sponsor of the bill with Republican Sen Mike Enzi, of Wyoming, said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health arm of the United Nations and the White House. "Rosa's Law," named after a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

[facedodge]

Very good. I'm sure those that are "intellectually disabled" are happy no longer being associated with the mentally RETARDED that make up Congress.

[aruanan]

Note that the replacement words, “intellectually disabled” are a lot more cruel than “mentally retarded.” “Retarded” means “slowed down” relative to normal. There’s a sense, at least, that with enough time and effort compensations can be made. At best, “disabled” means functionally kaput.

[facedodge]

Ahh... good point. I’m sure no one in congress heard that arguement.

[DrC]

Did Rahm approve of this change? It just doesn’t sound as punchy to call people “f****** intellectually disabled.”

[screaminsunshine]

Their whole ‘base’ will be eligible for social security disability now.

[TomGuy]

“intellectually disabled”

Unintended consequences:

Intellectual Disability = I D

Care to fill in additional potential letters? [such as iot ]

[aruanan]

Ahh... good point. I’m sure no one in congress heard that arguement.

And wasn't "mentally retarded" a general phrase adopted to phase out more descriptive words as "moron," "imbecile," and "idiot" that referred to specific levels and types of impairment?

The reason any of these words has a negative connotation is because of the condition, not the word that references the condition. Changing the word doesn't change the condition.

It's sort of the same thing people in the government do when they talk about "voluntary contributions" instead of "taxes" and "national service initiative" instead of "slavery."

[KarlInOhio]

Note that the replacement words, “intellectually disabled” are a lot more cruel than “mentally retarded.”

Any how long will it be before kids are calling each other "Dissy" as an insult? "Obama thought there were 57 states. What a dissy."

[aruanan]

I prefer “differently-arded.”

[Oztrich Boy]

"an individual with an intellectual disability"

As George Orwell once said "Some ideas are so stupid that only an intellectual could believe in them"