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Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) today told state Department of Mental Retardation officials that she favors changing the name of the agency to a new title that “recognizes the cognitive differences of all people without stigmatizing them with a name that has historically been negative.”

Senator Freedman made her comments during a forum held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford by the state Department of Mental Retardation. Senator Freedman, ranking member of the legislature’s Government Administration & Elections Committee, said she heard compelling testimony earlier this year from people who feel a name change would show that the state cares about the needs of the people served by the state agency.

“As a society we need to be more sensitive about the feelings certain labels provoke. They asked us to make the name change, not only for themselves but for the many others who do not have the skills to speak up about something they feel is negative and an injustice. Society is at a place where it is time to treat everyone with dignity and respect. I believe that by changing the name of the agency the state is showing compassion, adaptability and respect for a group of people who have been dubbed for far too long with a very negative label.  Other states have moved forward, and it is time to break down another barrier by removing that negative label,” said Senator Freedman.

Public comment regarding possibly changing the name of the state Department of Mental Retardation will be accepted until November 15th. Those interested can obtain further information about submitting comments by accessing the state Department of Mental Retardation website at www.dmr.state.ct.us  or the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities’ web log at www.ctcdd.org. A recommendation regarding changing the name will be submitted to the General Assembly by January 1, 2007.