Colloquy

Abstract

Recent court decisions regarding the rights of institutionalized retarded to appropriate care, treatment, and education have a cataclysmic potential, particularly for those states who must meet the court-ordered minimum standards. In the case of Alabama, state lands could be encumbered, and the courts could significantly alter the state budget. This action could bankrupt the State of Alabama and other states which may be required to substantially alter their budget in order to comply with the courts. The authors, although sympathetic to the issue, view the court action as draconian and caution that such action could once again relegate the position of the mentally retarded to that of “menace to society.”