This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Discussing Disabilities - Removing the "R" word

Discussing Disabilities - Removing the "R" word

Let's make a conscious effort and  focus on making East Haven the very best it can be for all residents disabled and non disabled and truly be the shining light of the shoreline and focus on the positive within our neighbors and not that which others perceive to be shortcomings.

Hopefully upon finishing the reading of this blog readers who use the "R" word as part of their daily everyday language will remove the "R" word from your vocabulary as it pertains to our fellow East Haven Residents and Americans.

Under the Americans with Disability Act and it's recent Amendments the definition of someone having an Impairment is clearly stated as follows: Definition: Impairment(1) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, immune, circulatory, hemic, lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or(2) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as an intellectual disability (formerly termed "mental retardation"), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Yet,..I have heard and seen even here on the Patch where many residents  continue to use the word "Retarded" when referring to someone,..The "R" word is a cold,insensitive word that many feel ranks right alongside referring to someone by using the "N" word.

What's more shocking is I have heard educators in the East Haven School system use the "R" word and use such as excuses as there is a "Department of mental Retardation" there is also a "United Negro Fund" but to refer to a person or persons in this day and age by using either the "N" word or the "R" word is cruel and uncalled for.

Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I am of the firm belief and the ADA and ADAA make it perfectly clear that the "R" word is not acceptable when referring to our fellow residents who may have an Intellectual Disability.

Facing life with a disability of any form is challenging enough we do not need to make it any harder on our fellow residents.

I am asking all who may read this to please be considerate and respectful of those with Intellectual Disabilities and remove the "R" word from your Vocabularies when referring to our fellow residents.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?