Massachusetts governor signs bill dropping R-word from state language

From The AP:

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill banning the use of the word "retardation" in Massachusetts laws.

The new law signed by Patrick Aug. 5 replaces the words "mental retardation" with "intellectual disabilities or disability" wherever they appear throughout the Massachusetts General Laws.

Patrick said the change is designed to help promote dignity for one of the state’s most vulnerable populations.

Advocates for the developmentally disabled had pushed for the switch.

The new law comes on the heels last year’s renaming of the Department of Developmental Services, which had previously been called the Department of Mental Retardation