WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to promote respectful and inclusive language, the “Words Matter Act of 2023” (H.R.3111) was introduced this month. The bill aims to amend federal law by eliminating the terms “mentally retarded” and “mental retardation,” replacing them with “intellectual disability” or similar language. The proposed legislation covers multiple sections of federal law, seeking to update terminology across various domains such as medical care, mortgage insurance, criminal penalties, program definitions, and more.
The bill’s primary sponsor is Representative Mark Pocan, a Democratic lawmaker from Wisconsin. Reflecting on his personal experience, Representative Pocan emphasized the importance of removing derogatory language from federal legislation. “Federal law should reflect the time in which we live and not include harmful words or slurs,” said Pocan. “The Words Matter Act will modernize our laws and remove offensive language from the U.S. Code.”
The bill garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressing their endorsement. Representative Cathy Rodgers, who previously supported Rosa’s Law to remove “mental retardation” from federal law in 2010, expressed her enthusiasm for the new bill’s objectives. “It’s well-past time the text of our nation’s laws reflect that,” Rodgers said. “The use of outdated and derogatory language fails to treat individuals with disabilities with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Other lawmakers, including Representative Pete Sessions and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, shared their personal connections to the cause. Sessions, a proud father of a young adult with Down syndrome, believed the Words Matter Act would bring the U.S. Code into the present. Norton, who has a daughter with Down syndrome, expressed her disapproval of the continued use of offensive language in federal law. “Our country is better than this,” Norton asserted, highlighting the need for the passage of this bill.
The Words Matter Act has garnered endorsements from prominent disability advocacy organizations, including the Special Olympics, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). These organizations recognize the importance of language in shaping perceptions and promoting inclusivity.
As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, supporters remain optimistic that the removal of derogatory language from federal law will mark a significant step towards a more respectful and inclusive society. The Words Matter Act aims to set a new standard for the way individuals with disabilities are spoken about in America.