Oct. 5, 2010 Rosa's Law becomes a passed public law!!!

I post the following today, although this has been old news for us, because it is important news we want to share. Playing catch up on this blog I thought it was important to include this here. We are thrilled about this law and we hope that this change will spread across the world and not just nationally. People who are not affected by this ugly word do not realize the implications is has on those who are affected and the ones who love them. Changing our language can change attitude, please help to make this positive change.

What is Rosa's Law?
President Obama Signs Rosa's Law...
A law that would remove the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal health, educational and labor policy and replace it with the term, "intellectual disability" and/or "individual with an intellectual disability". This law has been signed by President Obama and now becomes a public law in effect. It will take the next several years for full changes to occur, but we are still overwhelmed with satisfaction that it has happened.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-MD., the bill's sponsor stated: " For far too long we have used hurtful words like "mental retardation" or "MR" in our federal statues to refer to those living with intellectual disabilities. Rosa's Law will make a greatly-needed change that should have been made well before today-and it will encourage us to treat people the way they would like to be treated."

The language does not change the rights of individuals with disabilities but requires use of a more acceptable term. David Tolleson, Executive Director of NDSC states: " While some may view Rosa's law as nothing more than political correctness the truth is that language matters, particularly when it comes to governmental laws and policies. One simple change of wording can positively impact how lawmakers and administrators approach legislation related to individuals with disabilities."

Rosa's Law is named for Rosa Marcellino, a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome.

To read the law in its full text click on the following link.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-2781