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About our Name |
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Why "Voice of the Retarded"? A statement about our Name The Name Game There has been much "buzz" in the disability field over the years regarding the appropriate use of terminology such as "mental retardation" and "the retarded." Given all the public discussion this debate has enjoyed in recent months, it seemed important that the public realize its leaders are aware that maintaining "the retarded" in our name is counter to what is deemed "politically correct," and has discussed the issue extensively. Today, given the momentum built by self-advocates, many in the disability community have moved away from the phrase "mentally retarded." Preferred alternatives include "people with developmental disabilities," "people who are cognitively disabled," "people who are mentally handicapped," "people who are mentally challenged," and "people who are intellectually disabled." Rationale for VOR's Decision The "buzz" we are all witnessing relates mostly to the debate within disability circles. For example, the ARC, formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens, officially changed its name a few years ago. The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) will propose to its membership a name change (UPDATE: In 2006, AAMR. did change its name to AAIDD). AAMR's research journal, "Mental Retardation," also recently published a "perspectives" section which offered opinion articles by advocates and professionals debating the pros and cons of moving away from the phrase "mental retardation." Although advocates have done much debating on the topic of "mental retardation," the term remains squarely in federal and state entitlement laws (including Medicaid), and is still used by the medical profession in offering primary and secondary diagnoses. Simply stated, "mental retardation" is a recognized condition that, when diagnosed by a medical professional, provides individuals eligibility for specific rights and benefits. For VOR to accomplish our objectives, we feel bound to adhere to the same terminology used in federal laws, including laws that fund programs for "people with mental retardation." Despite the present trend in the disability community to move away from the phrase "mental retardation", Voice of the Retarded stands proudly behind our name. Why? Because our constituency remains people with mental retardation. Any other designation clouds the issue and makes our ability to advocate far more difficult. Furthermore, we feel strongly that any other designation serves to expand those eligible for services now only available to people with mental retardation, and thereby puts at risk people with mental retardation. To explain this latter point, consider the term "developmentally disabled." By law someone is developmentally disabled if they are physically AND/OR mentally disabled, became disabled before the age of 22, and has limitations in three major life activities. Major life activities include self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. It is possible that an individual can be cognitively-able but developmentally disabled. While VOR agrees that every person with developmental disabilities requires and deserves access to high quality services and supports, we are concerned that to expand our advocacy to include “developmental disabilities" hinders our effectiveness to advocate for people with mental retardation. A few years back, the ARC-US published an excellent white paper spelling out the rationale for keeping "mental retardation" part of its Mission Statement. The document, titled "Mental Retardation v. Developmental Disabilities: Should The ARC Change Its Focus From Serving People With Mental Retardation to Serving People With All Developmental Disabilities?" can be found at: http://www.thearc.org/ga/abstract.html. Here is an excerpt that appears at the beginning of the paper: "While this change -- at first -- might seem minor, it has major implications for children and adults with mental retardation and their families and the ARC. What is the Real Difference Between Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities? Many people who think 'developmental disabilities' is simply a nicer term for 'mental retardation' do not realize that the definition of developmental disabilities does not apply to most people with mild mental retardation." It should be noted that despite the ARC's research on this issue in the past, recently the ARC reversed itself and also dropped "mental retardation" from its Mission Statement, opting instead to use "cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities." Specifically, the new Mission reads: "The ARC of the United States works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community." Astonishingly, the ARC did pass a concurrent board resolution that says, "When the ARC of the United States uses the term cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, we are referring to mental retardation and the ARC of the United States remains focused on serving those people and families we have served since our founding in 1950." This move by the ARC is surprising as it does signal an understanding of the risks of "watering down" its constituency with "mental retardation," but ignores the findings of risk spelled out in the earlier ARC white paper. Furthermore, a Mission Statement should aim to spell out the very reason for existence of an organization. It should be air tight and not subject to the whims of any particular sitting board of directors. Staying the CourseThe above provides some background into VOR's decision, at this time, to maintain our name. Simply, from an advocacy perspective, VOR is interested in expressing with clarity our constituency so that when approaching lawmakers and policymakers, we can speak clearly with regard to the services and supports needed. As many others in the disability move away from "mental retardation," Voice of the Retarded is proud to stand alone as The Voice for this constituency. Related links The definition of mental retardation and the death penalty AAMR's Frequently Asked Question resource on the definition of "Mental Retardation." |
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VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007 877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-258-5273 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com |
