Sen. Yager Wins Passage of Advocates' Legislation To Change Name Of State's Mental Retardation Services to "Division of Intellectual Disabilities"
May 19, 2009
State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) gained unanimous approval in the State Senate this week to legislation he is sponsoring to rename the state’s Division of Mental Retardation Services to the “Division of Intellectual Disabilities.” The initiative began with Special Olympics and other advocates for intellectually challenged individuals to change any derogatory use of the word “retardation” from the country’s vocabulary, beginning with references in government programs or services.
The bill is sponsored by State Representative Dennis Ferguson (D-Harriman) in the House of Representatives.
“Through legislation and public relations campaigns, advocates are trying to change the offensive slang of the word retardation in casual conversations,” said Senator Yager. “There are many individuals and families that have suffered from use of derogatory language about citizens with intellectual disabilities. This bill includes Tennessee’s state government in the national effort to show appropriate respect to these citizens.”
The bill, SB 1121, was supported by the Department of Mental Retardation Advisory Council which is made up of disability advocates, family members, providers, and consumers who voted in favor of supporting this initiative earlier this year. Due to cost factors, the name of the Division will be changed as new volumes of Tennessee’s laws are replaced and supplements are published. The Division will change the name on publications and letterhead when the current supply is depleted and new orders occur.
“This is just an opportunity for the state of Tennessee to show its compassion towards the feelings and the needs of those who have challenges,” added Yager. “I am pleased it has passed our State Senate."
