What word should we end? The R-word. National Spread the Word to End the Word day, is always set for the first Wednesday in March.
From R-Word.org
The R-word is the word ‘retard(ed)’. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory.
Our campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions. Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.
The campaign 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 and developmental disabilities. It isn’t hard to do. When you click to commit, this is your promise:
I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
Pontiac Township High School, a Special Olympics Project UNIFY school, has been actively involved in these efforts for the past 8 years. Students in the Life Skills classes and their Peers have been involved in numerous activities to promote RESPECT including holding an Annual Pledge Drive, a Grade School Poster Contest, a Community Pledge Drive, and a School-Wide Lesson in which various departments across the high school teach lessons to promote respect and acceptance of all people. The entire school gets involved to promote the cause. They just debuted their newest video, “Respect is my Superpower”“which features students and community members and an original song written and performed by Thomas Baumgardner.
Thank you to Laura Baumgardner,Life Skills Special Education Teacher & Project UNIFY Cite Coordinator for letting us share that video here today!
Contact Laura for more information or assistance starting your own events. [email protected]
Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions. Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.
