Press Release  MDDC Endorsed Bill S.2563 Passed for Engrossment

QUINCY, Mass. — The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted Wednesday in favor of legislation that would amend language used in the Massachusetts General Laws regarding people with disabilities. With the passing of this act, terms such as "handicapped," "disabled," and "the R word" will be updated with more modern and accurate designations like "persons with disabilities," "persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities," and more.

This legislation, An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities has been on the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council’s (MDDC) list of endorsed bills since it was adopted in March. As instances of hate speech being used against people with disabilities continues to see a resurgence, the passing of this legislation takes the Commonwealth a step in the right direction.

Testimony on the bill was delivered to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities on June 10. MDDC Policy Committee Chairperson Gyasi Burks-Abbott spoke on his experience as a person with Autism. “Language influences thought. When I was 3, I was diagnosed mentally retarded with a prognosis that I’d never make it beyond the sixth grade. And while the diagnosis was immediately disproven, the stigma of deficiency followed me for years. Certainly, it would have been equally problematic had I been misdiagnosed ‘intellectually disabled;’ however, whereas the phrase ‘mental retardation’ implies all-encompassing and permanent, ‘intellectual disability’  suggests a type of learning disability  where progress is still possible—just in a different way or at a slower pace,” said Burks-Abbott in his testimony.

Bill S.2563 was presented by Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) and its companion bill, H.4453 was presented by Representative Michael Finn (D-Springfield) and Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington). Jehlen, Finn and Garballey have all been recognized as champions for their continued commitment to the Massachusetts intellectual and developmental disability community by the MDDC and the Arc of Massachusetts at their Annual Legislative Reception.

“We thank the Massachusetts legislature for recognizing that words matter and for taking appropriate actions to ensure all residents of the Commonwealth with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect in our laws,” said Jennifer Bertrand, MDDC Deputy Director.

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