MrsTT
26-08-2011, 11:16
This cause is dear to my heart, as I have worked with many brillaint people over the years who are differently-abled, but who are confronted by demeaning language, often used thoughtlessly. All the information and links are in the page I have copied from their fact sheet. Please join the campaign.
Spread the Word to End the Word
Fact Sheet
WHAT
Spread the Word to End the Word™ is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and our supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.
WHEN
Most activities are centered annually in March, but people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.
WHO
The effort is spearheaded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011), and led by young people, Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the country.
Celebrity activist John C. McGinley is a spokesperson for the campaign.
WHY
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the word “retard(ed).”
It is time to address the minority slur “retard(ed)” and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects.
HOW
Visit www.r-word.org to learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word.
For more information, contact:
Jenn Brooks, Special Olympics
jdbrooks@specialolympics.org
202-824-0327
Or
Heather Schatz, Best Buddies
heatherschatz@bestbuddies.org
305-374-2233, ext. 207
Spread the Word to End the Word
Fact Sheet
WHAT
Spread the Word to End the Word™ is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and our supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.
WHEN
Most activities are centered annually in March, but people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.
WHO
The effort is spearheaded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011), and led by young people, Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the country.
Celebrity activist John C. McGinley is a spokesperson for the campaign.
WHY
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the word “retard(ed).”
It is time to address the minority slur “retard(ed)” and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects.
HOW
Visit www.r-word.org to learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word.
For more information, contact:
Jenn Brooks, Special Olympics
jdbrooks@specialolympics.org
202-824-0327
Or
Heather Schatz, Best Buddies
heatherschatz@bestbuddies.org
305-374-2233, ext. 207