More Local News & Notes

Thanks to Washington CityPaper's LL Daily for covering the DDRA Blog in today's post!

Also check out Will Sommer of the Georgetown Voice on the need to strike outdated terms like "mental retardation" from District government use ("D.C., are you PC?" posted Oct. 8th, before the Oct. 20th introduction of the People First Respectful Language Modernization Act of 2009).

DDRA "Clean Copy" Available through RapidShare

The version of the DDRA on the DC Council web site has some scanning errors that erased most of page 31 and also rendered some text on other pages difficult to read. Their webmaster is working to correct the problem.

In the meantime, you can download a "clean," full copy of the DDRA as introduced by the DC Council through RapidShare here:

• DDRA "Clean Copy" through RapidShare

Not sure how to use RapidShare? See "Using RapidShare to Get DDRA Documents."

Thanks to everyone for you patience. We'll let you know when the version on the DC Council web site has been corrected.

People 1st Language Bill - Links Update; FAQs

The DC Council has now posted the full text of Bill 18-502, the "People First Respectful Language Modernization Amendment Act of 2009," on its web site. You can view the bill here. All of the links on this blog have also been updated.

A couple of quick FAQs:

1. What is Bill 18-502? Bill 18-502 is a companion bill to the DDRA. Section 402 of the DDRA (page 64 of the DDRA) requires the District government to use "intellectual disability" instead of "mental retardation" in all District laws, regulations and official government publications. Bill 18-502 identifies all the places in current DC law that use "mental retardation" and changes each reference to "intellectual disability."
2. Why "intellectual disability?" As noted by AAIDD in a recent press release, "Society’s labels have consequences... But no label damages more than being called “mentally retarded.” To set aside pejorative labels, after many years' deliberation professionals in the field have formally adopted the term "intellectual disability."
   
3. What is "intellectual disability?" As defined in the 11th edition of AAIDD's official diagnostic manual: "Intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical skills. This disability originates before age 18."
4. What does the change mean? People who were formerly diagnosed with "mental retardation" now have a diagnosis of "intellectual disability." The term is being used for health insurance, public benefits, and by health professionals. In the District, updating our laws and official documents will bring the District government in line with modern usage.
5. Does Bill 18-502 affect private speech? No! The U.S. Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of speech. Bill 18-502 does not affect District residents or private companies. Bill 18-502 only affects written laws, regulations and official government documents of the District of Columbia government.
6. How can I learn more? Check out AAIDD's web site for information on intellectual disability, and read this article from Disability is Natural for general information on the national movement of using "people first," respectful language to talk about people with disabilities.