End the R-Word Awareness Day

“Mockery in any form, purpose or directed at anyone, especially those least able to defend themselves, is neither funny nor acceptable. We must work together to bring it to a stop.” Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman and Chief Executive of Special Olympics

Did you know?

· End the R-word Awareness Day encourages people to pledge their support at www.r-word.org with the goal of ending society's use of the word "retard(ed)" in a derogatory manner. Source: Special Olympics

· The R-word was first recorded in 1426 as a verb meaning a “fact or action of making slower in movement or time.” It was not until 1895 that people began using the term as a noun. Source: Mental Health Care Inc., Historical Terms for Mental Retardation

· On July 25, 2003, in celebration of the 13th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 12994 renaming the President's Committee on Mental Retardation to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. *** Source: President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Reports to the President, A Charge We Have to Keep, 2004

· "The name change is not just cosmetic. Words are powerful. Changing them can make a difference in people's attitudes, understanding and self-esteem."Source: President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Reports to the President, A Charge We Have to Keep, 2004

Disability.gov offers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities more than 17,000 resources, updated daily, covering 10 key subject areas: benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, employment, health, housing, technology and transportation. The site also has information about volunteer opportunities, sports and leisure activities, mentoring programs and job training services. Visitors can find more information on leadership and development programs, preparing for college and making the transition from school to work. Find services and programs near you by using the "Information by State" drop-down menu on Disability.gov.

Close Window