For purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) "Disability" means, with respect to an individual:
(A) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that individual;
(B) A record of such an impairment; or
(C) Being regarded as having such an impairment.
(2) "Internet publication" means any information posted to an official web site of a public body, except for archival documents.
(3) "Policies" means official instructions and guiding principles issued by a public body for the implementation of its programs.
(4) "Public body" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(18A).
(5) "Publications" means any written material issued by a public body, either for internal or external use, and does not include internet publications, policies, rules, regulations, and signage.
(6) "Regulation" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(17).
(7) "Rule" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(6).
(8) "Signage" means any poster on paper larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches issued by a public body and any signs regardless of size made of any material other than paper and posted or issued by a public body.
(Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 2, 53 DCR 6223.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
Law 16-169, the "People First Respectful Language Modernization Act of 2006", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 16-665 which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on June 20, 2006, and July 11, 2006, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 18, 2006, it was assigned Act No. 16-438 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 16-169 became effective on September 29, 2006.
(a) On or after September 29, 2006, all new and revised sections of the District of Columbia Official Code, all new, revised, or republished District regulations, rules, policies, or publications and all internet publications shall, when referring to persons with disabilities:
(1) Avoid any use of following terms, except as required by any law or regulation: "afflicted," "cripple," "crippled," "defective," "feebleminded," "handicapped," "handicap," "idiot," "lunatic," "imbecile," "insane," "invalid," "maimed," "moron," "suffering," "wheelchair user," or "wheelchair bound";
(2) Use "person," "people," "individual," "individuals," "adult," "adults," "child," "children," or "youth" in sentence construction so that the language refers to individuals:
(A) With disabilities or with conditions that result in disability;
(B) Who have disabilities or who have conditions that result in disability; or
(C) Who use or who need assistive technology.
(a-1)(1) Beginning on September 26, 2012, all new and revised sections of the District of Columbia Official Code, all new, revised, or republished District regulations, rules, policies, or publications, and all internet publications shall avoid the use of the terms "mental retardation," "mentally retarded," and "retarded," except as required by any law or regulation, and further:
(A) Where the term "mental retardation" is used, the term " intellectual disability" or "intellectual disabilities" shall be substituted;
(B) Where the term "intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation" is used, the term "intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities" shall be substituted;
(C) Where the term "qualified mental retardation professional" is used, the term "qualified developmental disability professional" shall be substituted; and
(D) Where the term "is at least moderately mentally retarded" is used, the term "has at least a moderate intellectual disability" shall be substituted.
(a-2) Beginning 6 months after September 26, 2012, all policies and signage shall comply with subsection (a-1) of this section.
(a-3) Upon the earlier of reprinting or after one year following September 26, 2012, all publications shall comply with subsection (a-1) of this section.
(b) On or after 6 months following September 29, 2006, all policies and signage shall comply with subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Upon the earlier of reprinting or September 30, 2007, all publications shall comply with subsection (a) of this section.
(d) No statute, regulation, or rule shall be invalid because it does not comply with this section.
(Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 3, 53 DCR 6223; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 6(a), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-169 added subsecs. (a-2) and (a-3).
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-169, see notes following § 2-631.
For history of Law 19-169, see notes under § 2-220.05.
(Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 4, 53 DCR 6223; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 6(b), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-169, see notes following § 2-631.
For history of Law 19-169, see notes under § 2-220.05.
