Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The "R" Word is officially politically incorrect!

Happy Down syndrome Awareness month! How are you celebrating? Well, the US Congress and President Barack Obama have given us a very special gift to help us celebrate! The President signed Rosa’s Law! This law will remove the terms, “mentally retarded” and “mental retardation” from federal education, health and labor laws and replace it with the term, “intellectual disability”.

Who is Rosa?

Did you know that this happened because of Rosa Marcellino, a nine year old girl with Down syndrome who lives in Maryland? Inspired by Rosa, Senator Mikulski promised that if the State of Maryland passed this law she would take it to the floor of the US Senate; and she did!

What about Indiana?

Thanks to the leadership and foresight of the Arc of Indiana and Self Advocates of Indiana when they were asked this same question, Kim Dodson, Associate Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana said this, “ A few years ago, we did do a … clean up that removed “mr” in as many places as we could and shifted things to person first language."

Down syndrome Indiana is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and we are ever so grateful to everyone else that is dedicated to this mission as well!

Happy Down syndrome Awareness month!

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