Senator Pavley Asks California to “End the R-Word”

Senator Fran Pavley is asking Californians to join her in taking the pledge to “End the R-Word” on National End the R-Word Day on Wednesday, March 7.

“The term “mentally retarded” is outdated and not in current professional use. The use of the “R-word” is profoundly hurtful to many people with intellectual disabilities,” said Senator Pavley.

When originally introduced, the term “mentally retarded” or “mental retardation” was a medical term with a specific clinical connotation. Today, this term is most commonly used to degrade or insult people and reinforce painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities. It is estimated that seven to eight million Americans or one in ten families in the United States, experience intellectual disabilities.

Senator Pavley recently introduced Senate Bill 1381 which provides an important terminology change to the disabled community throughout California.

The bill is sponsored by The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California. Senator Pavley said, “The R-word intentionally or unintentionally demeans and hurts people with intellectual disabilities. It is a term used in bullying and sometimes hate crimes.”

Existing law refers to “mental retardation” or a “mentally retarded” person in provisions relating to educational and social services, commitment to state facilities, and criminal punishment.

“SB 1381 would revise these provisions to refer instead to “intellectual disability” or “a person with an intellectual disability” said Senator Pavley. These changes will occur during routine revisions to laws and documents over the next several years; therefore, the state is not expected to incur any additional costs.

For more information about National End the R-Word Day on March 7, click here: http://www.r-word.org/