Don't Worry, Be Happy

l1mitations:

everyone please reblog this:

“On October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed bill S. 2781 into federal law. Rosa’s Law, which takes its name and inspiration for 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, removes the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.” The signing of Rosa’s Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities “

The R-word, “retard,” is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so retarded” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.

The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech.

When you say “retard” or “retarded,” you marginalize and 

insult millions of people with intellectual disabilities, 

their families and friends. Please, don’t use the R-word.

visit http://r-word.org for more information

(Source: adick-tion, via becrazybefearless)