There was a big development in special education law last October. The Congress passed and the President signed Rosa's Law. The law removes the offensive word "mentally retarded" from federal legislation and replaces it with "intellectual disability." The changes include the statute that underlie special education law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Here is the text of the law. Here are President Obama's remarks when he signed the bill into law.
Rosa Marcellino, for whom the law was named, was on hand for the signing ceremony. Rosa worked with her parents and siblings to get the offensive word removed from the laws first in Maryland and then in the United States Congress. Here is a report on the law by Disability Scoop.
This is a big development in the law. thanks to our friend Mark for suggesting this post.