Letters to the Editor

Letter: Words matter on intellectual disabilities

National Public Radio's interview with an "expert" explaining Norm McDonald's apology related to his use of "Down syndrome" (in Stern radio interview) created its own gaffe by using "mentally incapacitated." The appropriate term is "people who experience intellectual disabilities." Person first.

One's cognitive abilities do not define one's personhood. One is not "incapacitated" when experiencing an intellectual disability. This is not a political correctness issue, it's a human integrity and human potential issue.
Words matter.
— Paul Maguire
Bradley Lake

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