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A disability terminology makeover for Wyoming?

By Michelle Dynes
mdynes@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE - Note to state agencies: Please delete the term "mental retardation" from your lexicon.

This is the goal of a House joint resolution to update agency documents with terms that are more respectful to people with disabilities.

A similar, more comprehensive Senate file seeks to rewrite existing state statute to remove a number of medical terms considered archaic.

And it's time these hurtful words were removed, said Aurelia Lemus, a Laramie resident and member of the self-advocacy group People First of Wyoming.

"Who likes to be called (mentally retarded)?" she said. "It's not a nice word."

Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, who is a co-sponsor for both measures, said the changes reflect the way today's society views and describes people with disabilities.

"The motive behind the People First Language (legislation) is to notice that you are talking to a person first," he added. "This is not a disabled man; this is a man with a disability."

Because this is a budget session, non-budget items require two-thirds majority vote to be introduced.

House Joint Resolution 4, "Designation of disabilities," is non-binding and only recommends that state agencies review the language used in official documents.

The resolution offers the term "persons with a disability" as a replacement and suggests reviewing the alternate terms used by other states.

Senate File 38, "People first language," revisits several existing state statutes, replacing the phrase "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability."

The term "infirmities" is replaced with "medical conditions," while "seriously emotionally disturbed youth" is altered to "youth with serious emotional disabilities."

Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, who co-sponsors both measures, said via e-mail that is not his first attempt to "recognize people's dignity through references in the law." He sponsored a successful constitutional amendment to remove another archaic reference - the term "idiots."

"I have been arguing for more people first language for a long time," Case said. "And earlier this year the local People First group asked me to do something."

Richard Leslie of the Wyoming Epilepsy Association said the proposed changes show a great deal of respect for people with disabilities and address these individuals in a more appropriate manner.

"That's where the term People First came from," he added. "It's the person first and the disability second."

Reader Comments

CRC wrote on Feb 10, 2008 11:08 AM:

" Having worked with adults with developmental disorders, I do applaud the concept of People First. However, it is my understanding that mental retardation is an actual diagnosis. I worked with 3 females in a group home, in each of their paperwork was listed their diagnosis, one with mild mental retardation, another with moderate mental retardation and a third with severe mental retardation. The word re.tarded means slow, as in these wonderful women processed information slower and some information not at all. The concept of People First is not only a change in grammar (putting the person first and the adjective of the disability second) but also a change in mind set. You must see persons with disabilities as people with their own unique set of attributes, including abilities. Look at a persons abilities first, because I have the ability to do a lot of tings, but there is a lot of things I don't have the ability to do, does that make me disabled. Don't get too tied up in the verbage of being politically correct. "

JJ wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:54 AM:

" As usual, Ralphinphnx has written something which confirms the fact that he is an idiot!(Oops, I mean he has an intellectual disability)I work for an organization which treats mental illness. My job has taught me that not ALL PC terms are ridiculous. "

Disabilities wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:57 PM:

" Why should we identify a person by a disability at all. Is it truly a disability or or they just differently abled. Why not just look at a person for who and what they are. Not the impairments they may have? The problem is that we in the U.S. have stopped knowing how to treat our fellow citizen with love and respect. Once we figure this back out we won't have to worry about being Politically Correct. I see a person in a wheelchair does that make them a leper? I don't think so. Repsect Each Other. "

Doc wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:20 PM:

" To be "politically correct" let's go ahead and take out the term "retardation" lets just call the politicians! "

Abused Resident(s) wrote on Feb 6, 2008 11:34 AM:

" I'm sure that most of the unemployed, anywhere, get treated like they are wanting a free ride. Well, I for one, was abused by the unemployment office to the point of being "locked up" for 3 days in the mental hospital. Then refused, even further, that I didn.t meet the criteria of disability. I am now on Soc. Sec., plus I had to sue the Unemployment Office for mental damages they incurred to me other than the disability that I originally had from work. I won my case, by the way, so just be vigilant and keep your head up. Stop letting them treat you like YOUR the idiot....I'm sure that THEY (the State Unemployment Reps) need help too! "

Joe Merck wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:37 AM:

" Change in terminology is great but the State Disability Determination Office needs to be overhauled Randy Schein of Cheyenne who was so severly injured in 2005 at the Womens Prison in Lusk filed a action to sue the State of Wyoming for refusing to give benefits to him since he has 5 major disabilities and cant work a hearing in 10th Federal District Court Denver, CO a date has not been set but why does the State turn him down and he has no medical insureance if something happens to him the State will be national news about there actions and a very major lawsuit will be filed in the US Supreme Court there are numerous cases on disabilities and they are rejected by the State Why Wyoming is going to look awful stupid when the lawsuit is filed. But the Tribune Eagle does not report on issues like this since the paper does not want to report on issues that effect persons only stories that concern pepole with money interview Mr. Schein and get the truth about Wyoming Disability Determination Office "

Mind Set wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Thank you PF ! "

PF Coordinator wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:10 PM:

" People First of Wyoming is a advocacy group for people with disabilities. We promote self advocacy in all areas of our lives and educating communities on People First Language.You can receive additional information by contacting People First of Wyoming at(307) 634-5329. "

Ralphinphnx wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:18 PM:

" To Just Me,and you very clearly also just
didn't get it,that the
problem is all these
lawmakers keep talking
about all they are going to do for our
disabled citizens and
then pass meaningless
laws that help no one
just to look like they
did something and also
never fund any new programs that they
alledge will help the
disabled or stack the
decks so that the bulk
of the money goes to a
few overpaid phony
bureaucrats running
it,instead of to the
disabled it was to help.And once again,
by the way FYI I repeat that Iam a disabled person myself, so therefore
I have personal experience with this
stuff as well okay? "

Mind Set wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:28 AM:

" Here is a huge question : What is "People First" ? Is there a phone number for them, a web page maybe ? Who are they, what do they do for others in Cheyenne and do they run a support group for those who need that type of group ? Don't give half the story and not put down how we can contact them please. "

JAFOA wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:00 AM:

" The language is just words, and really does not mean anything if people ACT inappropriately. We have "dumbed down" the language to make everyone fell better rather than addressing the real issues. It is sad really that by being PC we make the effort to hurt no one by softening everyone, rather than helping those that need the extra help to excel to so so. "

hmmm wrote on Feb 4, 2008 4:01 PM:

" Sometimes we lose sight of how hard other people really have it and how thankful we should be for what we have. thank you for this article brings perspective!! "

woe is me wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I’m so sorry to read the negative comments about this article. I’m sorry for the people who left the negative comments. It's plain to see that they STILL don't have enough information to form a good comment. What I understand from the article, the members of People First are trying to make changes in how quite a few people look at others with ANY kind of disability. I think they are even trying to make positive changes in how people with any kind of disability THINK of themselves. May I ask what you find so terrible in that? "

just me wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:36 PM:

" "We must be the change we want to see in the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi
"

just me wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:30 PM:

" To Ralphinphnx: Did you NOT get that it is the very people – members of People First - who have been labeled with the kind of term that you said “dreamed up this one” – to change the language? They are also the very people who point out to businesses when accessible to ALL aids are needed. An access ramp is NOT “handicapped”. It is “accessible” to ALL. The steps are the handicap to many people. Get it? "

Christine wrote on Feb 4, 2008 9:39 AM:

" When the very people who these terms refer to ASK for them to be changed, we should listen.

Hurrah to the advocates who are pushing for this to change - it is never an easy thing.

YAY PEOPLE FIRST! "

interesting point wrote on Feb 3, 2008 7:28 PM:

" What a waste of state time to debate all this over and do an article and make a big fuss... I guess you could call it re.tarded. "

Ralphinphnx wrote on Feb 3, 2008 6:28 PM:

" OMG here we go again
with more PC,Political
Correctness,instead of
working on helping the
disabled person,or
yes building handicap
access ramps and other
handicap aids into building or making sure they have food
and heat and can pay
their outrageous electric bills or making sure they have
medical insurance coverage and can pay
for their prescription drugs instead of a bunch of
phony PC Stupid Political Correctness
so plesse vote the
village idiot out that
dreamed up this one! "

Shortstuff wrote on Feb 3, 2008 5:44 PM:

" I totally agree with you, MindSet. It has to start with the way people are thought off, it takes those in POWER to help change the way people think. Don't think of people being handicapped but HANDICAPABLE!! They are able to do things just like everyone else sometimes it just takes them a bit longer to be able to do it! "

silver girl wrote on Feb 3, 2008 5:08 PM:

" When people hear us speak People First Language, they may also learn to speak the same language and little by little we break down the barriers that may be between us all.

THIS is HOW we can change how people THINK - and we all can do it. I thank the senators and representatives who have listened to the People First of Wyoming members and are willing to encourage People First Language within the state government. I praise the members of People First for bringing this to the attention of our state leaders.
"

silver girl wrote on Feb 3, 2008 5:05 PM:

" I agree with you, mind set, that it’s a long haul issue but it’s a battle that everyone can end up being a winner. I believe that it all starts with each and every one of us. What better way to change attitudes than to change the language that we speak? When we learn to speak People First language, with the emphasis on people or person, and whatever a person’s disability as second, we then hopefully SEE that each of us is a person with the same desires and wants as any other person.

Each one of us needs to speak up about that door that is difficult to open and encourage a door that will open automatically at the touch of a button.

I was told years ago that there are no people with handicaps. The handicap IS that door that is difficult to open – not the person. The person using a wheelchair (whether it be temporary or permanent) is the one dealing with the handicap (the barrier) of the steps or the door. "

Beverly Snow wrote on Feb 3, 2008 11:12 AM:

" Excellent article, as a person with a disability and a writer about disabilities, I am happy to see this is being reflected in Journalism today. I belong to CMTUS, a group of persons with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and we all know much awareness and education must be done on behalf of persons with disabilities, for those that are not disabled. "

Joe wrote on Feb 3, 2008 10:36 AM:

" I think we need to start somewhere - this is a huge step forward for folks with disabilities.

The fact that this is even an issue shows that people are changing they way they think, every day. "

looker wrote on Feb 3, 2008 10:22 AM:

" Thier a lot of Handicapped people in Wyoming, not just Mental ill but phyically handicapped. The law maker should not limit the rules only to Mental Illness, but inculde the phyical handicapped as well. "

Mind Set wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:55 AM:

" Until you change how people feel about the hadicapped, you are fighting a useless battle. This is a long haul issue and like a building with a ramp, but no way to open the doors. Change how people THINK and then worry about what they call us. "

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