Beyond terminology: the policy impact of a grassroots movement

Intellect Dev Disabil. 2013 Apr;51(2):108-12. doi: 10.1352/1934-9556-51.2.108.

Abstract

This article discusses the history of the grassroots movement led by self-advocates and their families to replace the stigmatizing term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" in federal statute. It also describes recent and pending changes in federal regulations and policy to adopt the new terminology for Social Security and Medicaid.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Consumer Advocacy / history*
  • Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / history
  • Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Government Regulation
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability* / history
  • Medicaid / history
  • Medicaid / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Public Policy* / history
  • Public Policy* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Social Security / history
  • Social Security / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Terminology as Topic*
  • United States