Mental Retardation in the Year 2000 (Disorders of Human Learning, Behavior, and Communication)

When you look at the advances in the field of mental retardation over the past 30 years, it is hard to imagine that more change is inevitable. Yet, I think back to the time when, early in his presidency, President Kennedy called together the brightest scientists, researchers, doctors, and educators to develop a comprehensive plan for the nation to effectively care for, treat, educate, and house persons with mental retardation. In the early 1960s the call for new research into the causes and the amelioration of mental retardation, the development of community-based programs, and the development of family care for appropriate education, vocational training, and jobs were seen as revolutionary. But, in the 30 years since then, we have seen time and time again that it is persons with mental retardation themselves who have led the way. When the schools were opened to them, they learned more than any one ever thought possible; when vocational training was provided, they learned skills that led to jobs; when employment became available, they proved to be good steady workers who earned money and paid taxes. When the playing fields were made available to them through programs such as Special Olympics, they showed the world they could train and compete and WIN in the sports of the Olympics. When communities welcomed them, they became our neighbors. They have earned the right to play on any field, to study in any school, to hold a paying job, and to be anyone's neighbor.