What's in a name? Bill strikes words 'Mental retardation' from county boards
The Daily Sentinel
July 9, 2009
By Beth Sergent
COLUMBUS — Words are powerful things, particularly derogatory or demeaning ones, and on Tuesday Gov. Ted Srickland signed into law Senate Bill 79 which strikes the words "mental retardation" from county and state agencies in Ohio.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Jimmy Stewart (R-Albany), becomes law 90 days after signing but the process began more than two years ago when a group of people with developmental disabilities attending the Athens County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and said they didn’t like being called "retarded."
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In June, both the House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate unanimously passed the bill. The House version of the bill was introduced by Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Athens) and Rep. Deborah Newcomb (D-Ashtabula).
"This is a great example of citizens making a difference. Individuals with disabilities approached Senator Stewart and myself, and were able to change public policy through their advocacy," Rep. Phillips said. "Ohio will now move forward, and stop using an antiquated term that has been used in hurtful ways. It‘s a privilege to have worked with these great advocates, and I offer them my hearty congratulations on their success after years of hard work."