Congress eliminates the "R-word" from health, education, and labor laws

In a victorious move for people with developmental disabilities, the House of Representatives has approved a bill that eliminates the "R-word" in federal government language.  The bill -- also known as Rosa's Law -- changes the language from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability," bringing it up to par with language used at the CDC, U.N. and the White House.

Proposed by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland), the bill was named after Rosa Marcellino -- a girl from Maryland with Down syndrome.  After she was labeled "retarded" by her school, her mother Nina teamed up with other parents to change the terminology in Maryland's state law. 

 “The Marcellinos’ story is a perfect example of effective citizen advocacy. They pulled together to pull us all to another way of thinking,” Senator Mikulski said. “The bipartisan support of this bill shows that this is an issue where we can tip our hats to boys and girls with intellectual disabilities by checking our party hats at the door.”

The bill will now go to President Barack Obama's desk for his signature.

In honor of this terrific news, please enjoy the video from The Arc of the U.S.'s YouTube channel.  I think it sums up the feeling.

 

More information available here:

• Patricia E. Bauer's Disability News: "House OK's Rosa's Law"
• Senator Barbara Mikulski's Office:  Mikulski, Enzi applaud passage of Rosa's Law
• CNN.com's Paging Dr. Gupta: Congress eliminates the R-word