Today is the 11th anniversary of the campaign, “Spread the Word to End the Word.”
“The Word” is ‘retard(ed)’. Why does it hurt? It is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory.
Instead, be a teammate. Be a friend. Welcome someone who has been left out. Sit next to someone alone at lunch. Say hello to someone in the hallway. There are so many ways to spread inclusion. Choose yours.
Make a pledge to end use of the “R” word and start today. Join us to make inclusion a reality for all people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Spread the Word was founded on an audacious belief, a simple observation, and an urgent goal.
- Our Belief: The world would be better if all people were valued, respected, embraced, included. Included in the games we play and the friends we make. Included in our schools, our workplaces, and our communities.
- Our Observation: Many groups around the world remain left out, excluded, and isolated. One of these groups is people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This group of 200 million+ people represents every country, belief system, sexual orientation, gender expression, race, and ethnicity. Globally, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue to be excluded and isolated from their peers in schools, workplaces, and communities.
- Our Goal: To disrupt the cycle of isolation and exclusion with this grassroots action calling for inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities around the world.
Reaching this goal starts with a single action: yours. Take action today to make your school, your workplace, your community, and your world more inclusive.
Noble is joining the millions of people across the country with disabilities as well as other advocacy organizations like The Arc, Best Buddies and Special Olympics in asking people to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes toward ALL people.
Make your pledge for inclusion today. And spread the word.
Language affects attitudes, and attitudes affect actions. Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.
