The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a 1,000-page bill April 21 to eliminate the phrase "mental retardation" from the Ohio Revised Code.
According to Tim Biggam, administrative assistant to Sen. Jim Stewart (R-Athens), Ohio is one of only six states that allows the use of the term in legislation.
The Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) will have the title changed if this bill passes in the House.
MRDD offers services for families and individuals with developmental disabilities that range from Job Coaching, Supported Living services and Early Intervention services for families with children three years and younger.
According to the MRDD, there are 88 MRDD county boards across the state of Ohio.
Stewart said members of the developmental disability community approached him a year ago to make changes to the Ohio Revised Code to eliminate the phrase mental retardation to be more considerate of those with developmental disabilities.
"I was happy to do so," Stewart said. "Many people in the developmental disability community feel this is offensive and have been teased throughout their lives so this bill is to help that."
In addition to efforts made by state governments, non-profit organizations are making efforts to raise awareness about the offensiveness of the term "mentally retarded."
In conjunction with the Special Olympics, the "R" Campaign is a nationwide campaign that encourages individuals to pledge not to use the word retarded as a derogatory term.
Miami University sophomore Jenna DiDiana has been spreading the word about the campaign on campus because her 7-year-old sister has Down syndrome.
"It's a personal thing to go on there and pledge to stop using the word," DiDiana said. "I just wanted to pass it along because it's important to me because of my sister's disability."
On campus, Miami's chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is involved in an outreach program called "Push America," which is Pi Kappa Phi's national charitable program.
The program raises awareness about developmental disabilities across the country, according to chapter member senior Tristan Chan.
Sophomore Tom Evans, Pi Kappa Phi's "Push" chair said he is happy about the proposed bill.
"This is awesome because this legislation will further get people to stop using the word because unfortunately it is very mainstream to say it," Evans said.
According to Stewart, it has taken a year to get through the process of getting it passed. He said there are many times when legislation needs to be changed.
"The English language changes, and words at some point in time may not be offensive and might become offensive, for example in the past, words like imbecile, drunkard and lunatic have been changed," Stewart said. "It is usually a word that has to do with mental health and alcohol and drug abuse."
The bill is currently awaiting debate in the Ohio House of Representatives.
