by Elizabeth King

Created on: April 02, 2009

For John Anton, the name change of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services was a long time coming, and now it's time to celebrate.

"I've had a lifetime of being humiliated by the word 'retard.' It's so hurtful," said Anton, chairman of the Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS). "Changing the name of the department was important because changing the name changes attitudes. People see us as humans."

Self-advocates and supporters culminated their successful campaign by joining Gov. Deval Patrick and his administration on March 30 in a celebration for the upcoming name change, which will take effect on June 30, 2009.

Over a decade ago, Anton brought up the proposal for the department's name change to a local regional advocacy group who approached Rep. Michael Costello shortly after he took office.

"The name change has been a long-time goal," said Bridget Crowley, Northeast coordinator of MASS. "In the past, there was opposition, but folks in New England took leadership. MASS explained to Mike (Costello) how it felt to be labeled. He didn't see any barriers, only potential."

They told Costello about the stigma attached to the term and took him to a MASS meeting. Anton also notes that Massachusetts was one of the last states to change the department name. For the next four years, Costello advocated for the name change.

"No one can know how bad people feel when they hear the 'r word,'" said Newburyport's Buddy Bostick, 18-year veteran of the DMR. "A positive label would shed a positive light on people, as well as a positive outlook."

Costello had filed legislation to change the name of DMR in three legislative sessions before it passed. Concerns had surfaced over what the name change would mean, including whether it would widen the range of disabilities the agency would focus on or how it would change funding. Costello re-filed the bill, including a provision in the bill stating the agency will continue to serve the developmentally disabled who meet the current requirements.

The efforts proved to be a success, as House Bill 4610 was included in the state's 2009 budget, which Gov. Deval Patrick passed this summer. Bostick said the new governor and commission were a big help in the push.

"The name change shows that the self-advocates are a powerful group," Bostick said. "They know what they want; all they need is a little support to get it."

The bill takes effect on June 30, 2009, officially changing the department's

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