Examining newspaper coverage of mental retardation

An analysis of NewsBank citations was performed to determine the frequency, geographic distribution, and major issues currently addressed in U.S. news papers related to mental retardation. Ten major issues emerged including ca usation and prevention of mental retardation, abuse of persons with mental retardation, education of persons with mental retardation, elderly persons with mental retardation, jobs and job training for persons with mental reta rdation, deinstitutionalization, human rights and civil rights, crimes by p ersons with mental retardation, funding and administration, and quality of care. Everyone involved with persons with mental retardation is encouraged to use newspapers as a public relations/advocacy tool in support of the spe cial population.