"Using language such as the word 'retard' to describe any citizen of this county serves only to denigrate, demean and create barriers much the same way as ethnic slurs," says Paul Shew, Executive Director of The Advocacy Center.  Shew seized the opportunity for a "teachable moment" following events that took place in the Monroe County Legislature last week in which a legislator is accused of calling one of his colleagues a "retard."    Shew wrote a letter to the editor of the Democrat and Chronicle which appeared in the August 4, 2009 edition.   He also sent a letter to Wayne Zyra, President of the Monroe County Legislature, which is included in the attached PDF. 

If you would like information about Disability Awareness provided by The Advocacy Center, please contact Colleen Brown, Public Education Coordinator, at 546-1700 ext. 267.

For more background, visit the WHEC Channel 10 website article.