Blog Post Reflection 4

At the organizational website, www.cec.sped.org, I found a blog about Rosa’s Law (S.2781). On September 22, the House of Representatives passed Rosa’s Law (S.2781) which removes the term “mental retardation” from Federal law and replaces it with “intellectuals with disabilities” and on October 5, 2010, President Obama signed the law. Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the President of the United States, and the health division of the United Nations now use the term “intellectual disability”. This will align the Federal law with the field and eliminate a term that has become demeaning to individuals. According to CEC’s Executive Director, Bruce A. Ramirez, Congress has passed a law that will generate significant change for individuals with disabilities, promote healthy school environments, and give respect and dignity to ALL people. After reading this blog, I realized that I should keep abreast on any new bills or laws being passed because they can affect me as a teacher and my students.