CARC changes name to “Envision Unlimited” on June 30, 2010

The Chicago Association of Retarded Citizens (CARC) will change its name to Envision Unlimited on June 30, 2010, both to eliminate the word "retarded" from its outdated acronym name and to better support our 1,500 Chicagoans with special needs.

"The term 'mentally retarded' seems to draw attention to the limitations of people," said Kristin V. MacRAE, president and CEO of the agency. "We help people with intellectual disabilities live productive lives on a daily basis."

Many local and national organizations have dropped the words “mentally retarded” to be more sensitive to the people they support.

In 2005, the President's Committee on Mental Retardation became the President's Committee for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. In 2006, the American Association on Mental Retardation became the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  In 2009, a U.S. senate bill was introduced that seeks to eliminate the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal law books and statutes.

“Changing our organizational name is simply the right thing to do,” said Ms. MacRAE. “We believe ‘Envision’ speaks of brighter futures–of hope, possibilities and innovation—and most importantly, articulates the hard-earned abilities of the 1,500 people in our programs.”

Ms. MacRAE said the agency’s mission will not change:  to provide quality services to persons with developmental disabilities and other special needs that promote choice, independence and community integration.