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Golisano Foundation Launches 4th Annual Challenge to Spread the Word to End the “R” Word

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March 5 was the annual day of awareness of the hurtful use of the R-word. Organizations across the Rochester region organized pledge activities to spread awareness, reaching tens of thousands of people.

This was the fourth year that the Golisano Foundation challenged the Rochester community to Spread the Word to End the Word™ to create a more accepting world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have unique gifts and talents to share with the world.

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Click on the video message below from Tom Golisano

Rochester NY Spread the Word Activities - Email us to share how you are spreading the work in your organization so we can recognize your organization on our website.

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Spread the Word to End the Word ™  aims tobuild awareness for thinking about and making a stand against using the R-word - “retard” or “retarded,” a word that has gained popularity in culture, but is offensive and hurtful to many.

Hundreds of thousands of people have already signed the pledge and Rochester can be proud to lead the way,” said Ann Costello, Director of the Golisano Foundation, which has campaigned to Spread the Word to End the Word for four years.  “Through greater awareness we can inspire other communities to make a dramatic change - and to think before using words that perpetuate the stigma and negative stereotypes.” 

“Most people who use the words retard or retarded do not mean to be hateful, but to the millions of people around the world who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families and friends, it is hurtful, and as cruel and offensive as any other slur.”

Spread the Word to End the Word™ was started by youth and is an ongoing effort of Special Olympics International, Best Buddies and other supporters.

“Each year we continue to make an impact and are grateful for the response we receive.  We want to continue to build awareness and keep the message going. We’re asking people, schools, businesses, organizations and communities to take the pledge to end the R word and use the new r-word, respect. It’s easy, it doesn’t cost anything, it takes just a minute and it can make a big difference.“

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How to Take the Pledge & Spread the Word!

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Articles of Interest

February 13, 2015