Bill Text: PA HR225 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Urging Pennsylvanians to use the term "intellectually disabled" to describe individuals with a mental impairment.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-7)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-10-15 - Laid on the table [HR225 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR225-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 1566
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 225 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY B. BOYLE, MURT, D. O'BRIEN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, D. COSTA, DeLUCA, DONATUCCI, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, JOSEPHS, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MANN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, READSHAW, ROAE, SWANGER AND VULAKOVICH, APRIL 20, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 20, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Urging Pennsylvanians to use the term "intellectually disabled"
to describe individuals with a mental impairment.
WHEREAS, The term "mental retardation" had been used by
physicians, psychologists and other professionals to describe a
condition of significant intellectual impairment, but over time,
it has devolved into a negative slang term, where someone or
something may commonly be referred to as "retarded"; and
WHEREAS, The use of this term, or the "r-word" as it is
sometimes referenced, in such a derogatory manner is hurtful and
insulting to individuals with intellectual disabilities and
their families and friends; and
WHEREAS, Consequently, many advocacy organizations have even
changed their names to replace the term "mentally retarded" or
"retardation" with the term "intellectually disabled" or
"intellectual disabilities" and are working to spread this
practice on a global scale; and
- 1 -
WHEREAS, Intellectual disability is one of the most common of
disabilities, afflicting approximately seven to eight million
Americans of various ethnic, social, economic and educational
backgrounds and directly affecting one in ten families in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, According to a 2009 report by the National
Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, almost
614,000 children between three and 21 years of age have some
level of intellectual disability; and
WHEREAS, According to the President's Committee for People
with Intellectual Disabilities, approximately 31% of individuals
with intellectual disabilities are employed while more are eager
to participate in the labor force; and
WHEREAS, Employers have noted that these workers have
demonstrated their dedication and work ethic with low rates of
absenteeism and a willingness to perform a variety of tasks,
thereby contributing to the benefit of the organization, as well
as society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Government, in October 2010, joined in
this effort with the signing into law, by President Barack
Obama, a measure referred to as "Rosa's Law" resulting in
changing references in Federal statutes from mental retardation
to intellectual disability and references to a mentally retarded
individual as an individual with an intellectual disability; and
WHEREAS, There is a worldwide movement to end the use of the
"r-word" and to replace it with "intellectual disability" in
official documents and public discourse; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
Pennsylvanians to stop using the "r-word," to replace it with
the term "intellectual disability" and to be mindful that words
- 2 -
are powerful and can have a significant impact on people and how
they are viewed by others as well as themselves.
- 3 -