Submitted by: The Office of Senator Kirk Watson
Senate District 14
The office of Senator Kirk Watson permitted reference to a recent activity of Senator Watson, as reported in the following article (http://regions.adl.org/southwest/news/adl-partners-with-the-arc-of.html):
ADL Partners with the Arc of the Capital Area
Date: September 21, 2010
Date: September 21, 2010
Excerpt from the article: "Arc of the Capital Area- a nonprofit organization committed to promoting independence and choice by creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities- and ADL were joined by Senator Kirk Watson, who emceed the event, and Mayor Lee Leffingwell who presented a City proclamation proclaiming Austin a city of respect.
The theme of the event was a campaign to eradicate the use of the word "retarded," called the "R" word by Arc, and make the new "R" word "Respect." Mental retardation is a medical diagnosis and should not be a pejorative term to be used against a group of people, but. the word "retarded" has become a derogatory label used negatively to ridicule individuals. Instead of a diagnosis, the term has become a hurtful slur.
This campaign is one step towards dramatically changing the attitude of society and the perception of people with disabilities..."
