Why Is The R Word Being Banned?

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The "r" word—retarded—is a word that has long since fallen out of favor as a hurtful slur to people with intellectual disabilities.  Since the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act, as amended in 2008, people with intellectual disabilities, which are defined as a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in the ability to perform everyday social and practical skills, have had legal protection against discrimination in employment, provided that they were able to perform the job functions.

But just last month, Indiana joined other states and the federal government when it signed a law that prevents the use of the word "retarded" and instead requires the use of the phrase "intellectually disabled" in state codes. And while the First Amendment grants individuals the right to free speech so they can use whatever dumb, mean term they want, one hopes that people will follow the government's example and stop using the R word.