An Unusual Anti-Disability Drug Is Being Used in the US

Introduction

The evolution of thinking can be an effective help for people with disabilities. So far, the therapeutic value of this medicine is difficult to assess. Because it has only just begun to be used. But who knows what will happen in 10-20 years. In 2024, only the first step towards this has been taken. The event took place in California. Although one person says that this has been happening for a long time and throughout the United States.

Main Item

In 2024, Assembly Bill 248 (Dignity for All Act) comes into force in the state of California. This legislation removes terms from the language of state legislators that may be offensive to persons with disabilities. The words and phrases "mentally retarded persons," "mentally retarded children," "retardation" and "handicap" have been removed from the texts of current laws. "Individuals with disabilities" or "individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities" will be used instead of the deleted phrases.(1)

The new law is another step towards eliminating feelings of inferiority among people with disabilities. The logical result of this process will be the understanding that disability is not a problem, but only a feature of a person, like eye or hair color. This has enormous psychological significance for disabled people. In turn, a good psychological state is the key to physical health. Thus, the evolution of the thinking of people around us is a kind of medicine that has great therapeutic significance for people with disabilities.

American society is slowly but surely moving along this path. In the mid-19th century, the word "idiot" was commonly used in medical documents.(2) But now this word is considered an insult. Probably after some time the same changes will occur with the words that are used in relation to people with disabilities now. Perhaps the concept of "disability" can become an insult. And following the texts of the laws, offensive phrases will be prohibited for use in everyday life. Society will change its attitude towards people with disabilities. Disabled people will no longer consider themselves disabled. This is a huge victory on the path to a fulfilling life.

However, many obstacles stand in the way of legislative therapy. According to political scientists, this is the current constitution and the political confrontation between Democrats and Republicans. Here's what the experts answered the question:

What is the probability adoption of a federal law prohibiting the use of certain terms in order to protect the dignity of people with disabilities?

"Zero. It would violate the first amendment. Large federal or medical organizations may issue guidance and update their terminology to be more respectful of the disabled community, but there would never be a federal law passed," said CEO, Hill and State Strategies, Alyssa N. Batchelor-Causey, M.S.

"Given the Republican control of Congress - and their inability to get anything done - I doubt this will type of legislation will be passed at least until 2025 or 2026," said President and Co-Founder of RBI Strategies and Research, Rick Ridder.

"Nothing will pass the House until the Democrats regain the majority," said CEO Reciprocal Results, Roy Moskowitz.

"I think the entire country follows the first amendment and the rest of the constitution except for California. The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," said CEO and co-founder of Rosetta Stone Communications, Steve Schultz.

In the current situation, the opinion of The chief pollster The Trafalgar Group, Robert Cahaly, is very interesting. The specialist believes that offensive words are being removed from the American vocabulary not thanks to legislative initiatives, but thanks to society.

"Most all of our recent surveys suggest that the American public as a whole has had enough political correctness and cancel culture as it relates to certain descriptive words and pronouns. In general people want to be polite and not offend others, and therefore they see no need for speech laws and the litigiousness that inevitably follows. While this kind of legislation may work in California, it would have very little success in most of the rest of the country," said Mr. Cahaly.

His opinion forces each of us to honestly ask ourselves: "How do I communicate with people with disabilities?"

References

1) https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB248

2) https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/california/california-2024-laws-retarded-addict-state-terminology/3409414/

Other Publications by Pavel Kuljuk:

• How Are People With Disabilities Doing in the New York City Housing Market?
• Politicians Too Busy With Politics to Care About People With Disabilities
• Disabled People Are the Achilles Heel of US Political Elites
• What's New for Americans with Disabilities in 2024?
• Equality Amendments Could Increase the Political Influence of the Disabled
• What Is the Price of Legislative Happiness for People With Disabilities in The USA?

Author Credentials:
Pavel Kuljuk's articles and poems are published in Australia, North America, and Europe. In recent years, he has been constantly collaborating with Australian Rural & Regional News (Australia), Red Hook Daily Catch and OpEd News (USA), and Disabled World (Canada). Kuliuk's individual publications are in Forbes (Kazakhstan), Rural 21 (Germany), London Loves Business (UK), Karrep (India), RealClearDefense (RCD), Change Links, Daily Caller (USA), and many others. Explore Pavels' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.