Ohio Agencies Drop ‘Retardation’ From Their Names

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio agencies for the disabled have dropped the term “mental retardation” from their names.

Authorities have been overhauling signs, stationery and Web sites under a new law taking effect Tuesday.  The state Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has become the Department of Developmental Disabilities. Montgomery County’s agency changed its name to Developmental Disabilities Services last month.  The agencies continue to offer the services they did before.

Gov. Ted Strickland signed the renaming measure in July.  The legislation’s proponents said “retardation” is a derogatory term.  Some county officials complained about the expense of rebranding.

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