Fact Sheet & Highlights: An Act Dignifying Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities S.137

An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities removes offensive terminology from state law and modernizes how the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) refer to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The legislation also replaces the terms ‘handicap’ or ‘handicapped’ from state law in addition to correcting other outdated language.

What the Bill Does

Scrubs the ‘R-word’ From Law Books. Strikes the ‘r-word,’ an archaic and offensive word for people with disabilities, out of Massachusetts law. This includes renaming one chapter of state law that prominently features the r-word.

Builds in Modern Definitions. Adds relevant, up-to-date sections to state law including definitions relating to people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Prioritizes Person-First Language. Respects individuals by using terminology like ‘person with a disability,’ replacing ‘disabled person’ in multiple instances.

Replaces ‘Handicapped’ References. Replaces references to ‘handicap’ and other outdated terms like ‘needy’ to describe people with disabilities.

Gives Inclusive Names to Awareness Days. Updates the names of special days designated under state law, such as Autism Awareness Month and Persons with Disabilities Employment Week, to reflect modern language