Spread the Word to End the Word

March 3, 2010 is the official awareness day of the nationwide Spread the Word to End the Word campaign to discontinue derogatory use of the “r-word” and promote acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.  The campaign is encouraging people to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org with the goal of reaching 100,000 pledges.

Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign created by youth, in an ongoing effort with Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the “r-word.”

The Council for Exceptional Children was one of more than 200 international organizations to sign on in support of this important campaign. CEC has also been working to get co-sponsors for Rosa’s Law in the House and Senate. Rosa’s Law, S. 2781, was introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in November, 2009. U.S. Senator Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is the Republican sponsor of the bill.  (See a previous CEC Policy Insider story). Representative Michael McMahon (D-NY) introduced a companion bill, H.R. 4544 in the House.  Rosa’s Law would change terminology throughout federal law from “mentally retarded” to “intellectually disabled.” Several groups in the field have already made this change.

Pledge your support at www.r-word.org and check out the many events planned all over the world to see if YOUR area has created an event to spread the word to end the word.

Comments

[Terry Lansin]

I work with kids with disabilities, so I never let my kids, grandkids, or any one I know use the R word. I have for a long time and will contine to do so. as I feel these children are just like us.