Spread the Word to End the Word

      Mari Grady

English 255

3/12/16

Spread the Word to End the Word

I made a pledge to myself at a young age to never use the “R” (retard) or the “H” (handicap) word. I’m sure you have been in a situation where you have heard someone use the word retarded, it might have even been you that was using that word   My mom is a teacher and she taught me at a very young age to never use the “R” word.  If this word was spoken in our house by myself or my family members, it was like we were using a swear word.

     The word “retard” and “retarded” have been widely used in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities.  When the words “retard” or “retarded” are used by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people use the “r” word while joking around with people with normal intelligence, but the reality is it can be offensive to the people you are with.  We have to remember that someone with an intellectual disability touches everyone in this world whether it is a relative, friend or acquaintance.

     I would like to give little history regarding the disability rights movement. It started in the 1970’s and by 1976 the PL 94-142 was enacted to include children with disabilities in the public education system for the first time.  This is when the People First Language began to evolve.

     In 2009 there was a 9 year old girl named Rosa Marcellino, who had Down Syndrome.  The school that she attended in Maryland labeled her as “Mentally Retarded.”  Her brother was appalled by this and stated that they were not allowed to use the words “mentally retarded” at his house, he said it is just like using a curse word.  Rosa’s family worked to pass a law to stop schools from using the words “mentally retarded” on official records.  

     October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed a bill, Rosa’s Law, (this law takes its name and inspiration from the 9 year old Rosa Marcellino) which removes the phrases, “mental retardation” and “mental retarded” from federal health, education and labor policy. These words are replaced with the People First Language “individual with an intellectual disability”   The signing of this Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities. This law will not keep people from using the “r” word in insulting ways, but will for sure bring more awareness to how hurtful the “r” word can be.    I know that it will still take a lot of time and effort to make these changes.

     Since this bill has been passed there has been a big push to eliminate stereotypes.  The preferred terminology for the disability community is the People First Language.  I had an experience with People First Language this past summer. I was at a baseball game with my mom and I witnessed a conversation she had with one of her past students.  I made a comment to my mom that I’m sure he was in a Special Education Program  I proceeded to ask if he was autistic.  My mom immediately responded to me by saying yes he received special education services and he is a child with Autism.  She educated me on the People First Language and how to use it. She also stated that is important for me to consciously make a change myself on how I talk about people with intellectual disabilities. I also need to educate my friends especially when they are using these words inappropriately. One thing that really stuck with me is the focus should be on the person rather than the disability (the individual is first and the disability is second).  The disability is just a body function that works differently and people with disabilities are people first and foremost. Here are a few examples of the People First Language: when talking about special education services, you should say he/she receives special education services rather than he/she’s in special education or he/she has a development delay instead of he/she’s developmentally delayed.  I know that people don’t always use or are aware of the preferred terminology but I believe it is important that people stop repeating negative sayings or words that stereotype, devalue or discriminate.