End the R-word

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!

The “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and Special Olympics supporters to raise the consciousness of society and 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 in order to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.

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 at the official R-WORD WEBSITE.

April 30, 2012

Click here for the R-word Flyer!

Please join us at the Braves game on April 30th in Memorial Park at Turner Stadium. We will be taking pledges from individuals who commit to no longer using the word “retard(ed)” in any situation whether it be in a professional or hurtful manner. Braves players will join us that day as well to take the pledge and spend time with some of our athletes. For more information, please contact your Regional Manager or contact:

Robert Yost
robert.yost@specialolympicsga.org
229-834-3434

March 2, 2011

Check out photos, taken by SOGA staffer Sean Mann, from March’s rally against the R-word at the State Capitol. Governor Nathan Deal and 100 others including other government officials participated in Special Olympics Georgia’s rally to encourage people to stop using the word “retard.”  Gov. Deal  also declared March 2 “Spread the Word to End the Word Day.”

Students from Jones County who are also unified sports partners, who are athletes in the program who compete with athletes who have intellectual disabilities. Other students are youth forum leaders who participated in a week-long camp last summer, learning leadership skills and about working with people with intellectual disabilities.

Though not at the capitol, other R-word rallies were held around the state including three in Dalton,  and one at a Murray County Middle School.