The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is finally eliminating the antiquated use of the “R-word” from the State agency’s name. The new name of the agency will be: Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The purpose for inserting “people” into the name is to support the agency’s efforts to put “people first.”

According to the Governor, “this name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities” Governor Paterson said. “For many people with developmental disabilities the words ‘mental retardation’ are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For PeopleWith Developmental Disabilities is a name that respects their rights as people with developmental disabilities to have an agency name that invokes pride, and not shame.”

You may remember the advocacy work that we did last July when Monroe County Legislator Dan Quatro reportedly used the “R-word” during a meeting of the Legislature…and then claimed he had no recollection of making this statement, which happened to be caught on a recording device. The use of hate language is unacceptable by anyone, but when an elected public official callously uses the “R-word” to insult another legislator, it bears some decisive action and strong education!

As advocates in Rochester, we joined the national campaign to end the use of the “R-word.” As a result of community advocacy, the County passed “person first” legislation last December. And now we can be pleased that New York State has finally joined the other 48 states that have already eliminated the word from their state agencies.

The name change has already taken effect but it will be some time before the agency completely phases out the use of OMRDD into the official OPWDD. You can see efforts of the shift on the agency’s website. The homepage automatically redirects to a promotion about the name change. Click here:

http://www.omr.state.ny.us/splashPages/splash_nameChange.html