Three years after Obama signed Rosa’s Law, the SSA will replace “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability.”

This move by The Social Security Administration to use appropriate terminology in its communications is a response to pressure from many in the disability community, including JJ’s List to change the way we talk about, and with, people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

It’s much-needed change at the policy level that we hope will filter into everyday practice.  JJ’s List works hard every day to change the language used to talk about disability.  It’s about using language that really makes sense.  Not that outdated language of the 19th Century when to communicate about disability.  It reiterates the need for workshops such as our Disability Awareness Training for Businesses and our ongoing work to educate the public by using person first language.

Read the full text of the change as published in the Federal Register here.

What can you do to promote disability awareness?

• Join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ pages.
• Ask your organization or company to host a Disability Awareness Training.
• Help your organization or company get the JJsList.com Disability-Aware Seal of Approval.

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