Spread the Word Campaign
The use of the R-word is hurtful and demeaning to people with intellectual disabilities. Join Special Olympics and youth leaders in eliminating use of the words “retard” or “retarded” and spreading the word “Inclusion” instead.
Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign to raise awareness of the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. The National Awareness Day is held the first Wednesday of March. Many schools lead a “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign right on their campus. Visit the R-Word Campaign website to take the pledge today and find campaign resources.
Here’s how you can help:
- Plan an event on the official day or at any time during the year.
- Join thousands of students throughout the United States in helping to Spread the Word to End the Word. Take the pledge to not use the R-word and encourage your friends at school and on Facebook to take the pledge.
- Get a group of students and friends and support fundraisers like the Unified Champion Schools Youth Plunge
- Become “fans in the stands” at competitions