RIN Data

DoD is publishing a proposed rule to change "mental retardation” to "intellectual disability” throughout the entirety of 32 CFR part 199. On October 5, 2010, President Obama signed legislation requiring the federal government to replace the term "mental retardation” with "intellectual disability” in many areas of government. This measure, known as Rosa's Law, strips the terms "mental retardation” and "mentally retarded” from federal health, education, and labor policy. "Intellectual disability” or "individual with an intellectual disability” are being inserted in place of these outdated terms. The rights of individuals with disabilities remain the same. The reason for the change is to align all TRICARE materials with the rest of the federal agencies, and with the wider trend that considers any use of "retardation” or "retarded” (once part of standard medical terminology among health care and education professionals generally) as no longer appropriate.