THE PUBLICATION COMBINES HIGHLIGHTS FROM A 1973 CONFERENCE ON THE MENTALLY RETARDED CITIZEN AND THE LAW WITH CASE EXAMPLES TO EXPLAIN WAYS IN WHICH RETARDED CHILDREN AND ADULTS ENCOUNTER LEGAL BARRIERS TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. LEGAL PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED IN A NUMBER OF AREAS -- EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND COURTS, AND THE MENTALLY RETARDED PRISONER -- AND STEPS THAT INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS CAN TAKE TO PROTECT THE BASIC RIGHTS OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED ARE INDICATED. LAY PERSONS ARE URGED TO ADVOCATE FOR RETARDED PERSONS AND TO SUPPORT LOCAL MEASURES ENABLING THE RETARDED TO ENJOY FULL RIGHTS. ATTORNEYS ARE ADVISED TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE SPECIAL LEGAL PROBLEMS OF RETARDED CITIZENS AND TO ENCOURAGE CONSIDERATION OF THESE MATTERS IN LAW SCHOOLS AND BAR ASSOCIATIONS. PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE URGED TO REVIEW THE EFFECT OF THEIR PROGRAMS ON THE RETARDED AND TO TAKE STEPS TO MAKE PROGRAMS FULLY RESPONSIVE TO THE RIGHTS OF RETARDED CITIZENS. ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF MENTALLY RETARDED CITIZENS ARE LISTED. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT.