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Senator Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens) delivered sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 79 on Tuesday, March 31. Stewart explained that the bill would change the name of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities (MRDD) and the County Boards of MRDD to simply the "Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities" and the "County Board of Developmental Disabilities."
Stewart introduced the bill after attending a meeting in Athens and listening to numerous constituents explain why the term "mental retardation" was offensive to them. "Retard and Retarded are two terms that are commonly used in today's society to belittle or insult others. It seems that at a very early age children add these words to their vocabulary," Stewart stated. "The verbal abuse that these children [with disabilities] experience has long lasting effects that negatively impact a child's perception of their own self-worth," Stewart added.
Stewart emphasized the many contributions that people with disabilities make to society on a daily basis and urged the committee to "remove this degrading term from an agency funded by the people of the State of Ohio."
The hearing was attended by a large group of people from the consumer organization, People First. In addition to People First, the bill has the support of many statewide organizations, including OLRS and the Ohio Developmental Disability Council.
Read the bill: Senate Bill 79
Article posted March 31, 2009