Rosa Marcellino, who inspired “Rosa’s Law,” attended the event with her father, Paul Marcellino and her mother, Nina Marcellino who also took part in the panel discussion. |
The Universities at Shady Grove's (USG) Committee on Collaboration, Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Education Strategies (CIPES) and the University of Maryland School of Social Work hosted a panel discussion on October 5, 2011 at USG, focusing on the power of everyday language to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The event highlighted one Maryland family’s battle for respect and acceptance for their daughter and sister, Rosa, which became a significant milestone in the ongoing quest for dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities.
The event commemorated the one-year anniversary of the signing of bill S.2781 by President Barack Obama. Known as “Rosa’s Law,” the bill removes the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people-first language such as “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.”
Lillian Cruz, of Congressman Chris Van Hollen's office, presented a citation on behalf of Congressman Van Hollen to the Marcellino family to recognize them for their dedication to Rosa's Law. Also, Kristen Soper, speical assistant to Senator Barbara Mikulski offered a special greeting on behalf of Senator Mikulski.
 |
 |
| Nina Marcellino, mother of Rosa Marcellino, Madeline Will, Director, Policy Center, National Down Syndrome Society, and Sal Campo, LCSW-C, Clinician for the National Center for Children and promoter of “People First Language” initiatives. |
Dr. Richard P. Barth, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Professor, delivered introductory remarks to those in attendance. |