Governor David A. Paterson recently signed into law a bill which changes the name of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The significant legislation removed the words "Mental Retardation" from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.
Allegany Arc, a chapter of NYSARC, Inc., is excited to see more agencies getting rid of "Mental Retardation." Allegany Arc recently had a group travel to Albany to promote the name change and was excited to see that the Government took this seriously and acted swiftly on behalf of all people with intellectual and other development disabilities.
A banner statement on the OPWDD website acknowledges their enthusiasm for the change as well. It notes, "Since the beginning our mission has been to help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives. Now in support of the people we serve, their families, and our provider agencies we're adopting a name that truly reflects this mission. OMRDD is now OPWDD the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities." For more information on OPWDD, please visit their website at: www.omr.state.ny.us.
Carrie Redman, Allegany Arc's Marketing Director, noted "We're excited to see more affiliations looking at removing "Retardation" from their terminology as the word is cruel and hurtful to so many people. Our agency changed its name from Allegany County A.R.C. to Allegany Arc in 1992 to reflect The Arc of the United States' elimination of the word from the organization's name. Allegany Arc continues to be devoted to "putting people first" and allowing individuals with developmental disabilities to have greater control over and live richer lives."