In reviewing the new regulations, I could not help but notice that the term “mental retardation” and abbreviation “MR” were still peppered throughout.  Although these terms frequently appear in the regulations as MR/ID, this sends the message that these are interchangeable terms, which they should not be.  MR is still being used in the regulations to describe the Waiver, the professionals who work with individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the services themselves. I believe it is inappropriate to claim we are trying to be person-centered, and yet the language in our regulations is still including a belittling term for those we are trying to support.

If we are truly moving toward a more person-centered system, the system and everyone in it must stop using this term. The regulations may not be changed again for years after this, and we already know that the new term is intellectual disability. Most people involved in the system are not only familiar with the term; I would venture to say that they prefer the term “intellectual disability.” After working with a self-advocacy group for several years, I can confidently say that individuals with intellectual disabilities also prefer this updated term to the archaic “mental retardation.”   Person-centered is all about using language that the person would use to describe themselves, and I doubt any of the individuals would choose “mentally retarded” over “intellectually disabled.” 

If anyone is not familiar with the term intellectual disability, then it is time to educate them, rather than keep this term in writing (and thus in use) for fear that someone may not know to what or who we are referring. If the DOJ report is any evidence, Virginia must take more progressive steps to move forward to support individuals with disabilities, and to do so, we should move forward in words, as well as action. Please consider completely replacing the terms MR, ICF-MR, the MR/ID Waiver, QMRP, and mental retardation with ID, ICF-ID, the ID Waiver, and QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional), and intellectual disability in the new regulations.  Thank you.