d.). By using person-first language it allows the person to come before the disability. In Canada, there isnt a law that specifically states that the word retardation wont be used as medical term. In legal documentation it is stated as mental or physical disability, intellectual disability, or developmental disability. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian Human Rights Act, Employment Equity Act are some of the laws in affect that protect individuals with disabilities (Canadian Heritage, 2011). These acts are in place to protect these individuals from discrimination in the workplace or from the government, to give these individuals the right to be employed, and to give these individuals additional support if they need it while working. .
Many people dont see why using the word retard is considered offensive because people are exposed to the word through the media. Celebrities and public figures have been causing a commotion by using the using the word retard to describe themselves, other people, or situations. During the US elections earlier this year, Ann Coulter had used the word retard to describe President Obama. Coulter tweeted, I highly approve of Romney's decision to be kind and gentle to the retard. In response to her tweet, John Franklin Stephens, a member of the Special Olympics, wrote a public letter to Coulter describing how the using the word retard affects himself and other individuals with intellectual disabilities (Downes, 2013). The letter has been viewed by a lot of people, including Coulter, but there hasnt been an apology from her for using the using the word retard. Jennifer Aniston was on the talk show, Regis and Kelly, when she called herself a retard. Many celebrities and public figures have many fans who look up to them. When they describe themselves or situations as being retarded, it makes their fans think its acceptable to use that word.
