President Milei’s government faced backlash after using outdated and offensive terms for disabled individuals in a recent resolution. Advocacy groups condemned this language as discriminatory and against international norms. The government responded by promising to revise the terminology while maintaining evaluation criteria. Calls for reform indicate a broader societal need to embrace respectful language and advocate for inclusivity for disabled people in Argentina.
The government of President Javier Milei has sparked controversy following its use of outdated and offensive language to describe disabled individuals. In a resolution released by the The Agencia Nacional de Discapacidad (ANDIS), terms such as “idiot,” “imbecile,” and “mentally deficient” appeared in an annex related to the evaluation of disability allowances. This usage has been condemned as discriminatory and a violation of international resolutions to which Argentina is committed.
Organizations advocating for the rights of disabled persons, including ACIJ and CELS, have called for the immediate repeal of the resolution, claiming it infringes upon the rights of the disabled as outlined in international law. In response to the backlash, the Milei administration pledged to amend the offensive terminology in the resolution, promising to update it to align with contemporary medical standards without changing evaluation criteria.
Furthermore, ANDIS announced the dismissal of Miriam Améndola, the medical oversight coordinator responsible for the contentious document, along with the prior document author, Tatiana Alvarado. Although ANDIS chief Diego Spagnuolo acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and stated that the responsible parties were dismissed, critics have pointed out that he also bears responsibility for the resolution’s approval.
The controversial terms derived from Annex 187/2025 of ANDIS were intended to assess the level of intellectual development among disabled individuals to determine pension eligibility. Critics have noted that this language mirrors that of previous legislation from 1998 and reflects President Milei’s own disparaging remarks about opponents, undermining efforts to eliminate stereotypes surrounding disability.
Legal expert Agostina Quiroz from ACIJ expressed concern that the resolution reinforces historical prejudices, exacerbating discrimination against disabled individuals. She argued that the state should advocate against such language rather than perpetuate it, emphasizing a shift from a medical model of disability to a social model that focuses on community inclusion and support for all individuals regardless of their challenges.
The Milei administration’s recent use of archaic and offensive terminology regarding disabled individuals has caused significant public outcry and demands for reform. Advocacy groups have successfully encouraged the government to reconsider its language and focus on inclusivity. This incident highlights the critical importance of adhering to respectful and contemporary language when discussing the rights and evaluations of disabled persons, reinforcing societal responsibility towards their integration and support.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar