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Eunice Kennedy Shriver believed that people with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought; thus the Special Olympics was born. It began as a day camp in the Shriver’s backyard and is now the largest amateur sports organization to date.
"Spread the Word to End the Word" is a campaign effort, launched by high school and college students in the United States, to raise awareness of the negative impact the word "retard" can bring about in our society.
According to the Special Olympics website, “the campaign kicked off with more than 700 events and activities happening throughout the United States – and around the world. Celebrities and just plain folks put on "Spread The Word" T-shirts (order one for yourself), buttons or stickers or made signs and placards and banners to make it clear that using the word "retard" as a term of derision is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur. Events weren't limited to one country. More than 1,000 school children in Malawi with and without disabilities gathered to raise awareness and symbolically bury the R-word.”
What you can do to help the “Spread the word to end the word” campaign:
Take the pledge.
Pledge your support to end the demeaning use of the "r-word". Go to http://www.r-word.org.
Conduct a local pledge event.
Hold a local pledge event at a school or community center by educating the community about the campaign and set up a laptop to encourage people to sign the pledge page on the spot. Invite the local media and local celebrities. Try to get Special Olympic athletes to host or speak at the event to help encourage others to join the cause!
Work with local sports teams.
Contact local sports teams to participate in a halftime event to promote the campaign.
Spread the word.
Help advertise the campaign by writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper, notifying local TV news programs, or hanging flyers at local businesses or recreational centers. Start social network such as “Facebook”, or “MySpace” – Evite friends to take the pledge and join the cause!
Create a video.
Tell everyone on the web about the campaign and why it is so important by filming your message! Post your video on YouTube and reach a huge audience. Share the link with your friends, family, or local businesses and organizations.
The Special Olympics promotes acceptance of all individuals with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers are a vital part of the Special Olympics and have helped transform individuals and communities for the better. Registering athletes, planning events, arranging transportation, recruiting new volunteers and sponsors, managing Web sites, taking pictures, publicizing activities and answering phones are just some of the important duties completed by volunteers.
Join the “Spread the word to end the word” cause and help Special Olympic athletes reach their full potential! For more information please visit: www.specialolympics.org
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