Spread the Word to End the R-Word Day Pledge Activities
Today is the national day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the R-Word™. For the eighth year, a record number of organizations will join the Golisano Foundation asking people to pledge to take a stand against using the R-word, “retard” or “retarded,” a word that is offensive and derogatory to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Rochester movement has become one of the largest in the country.
Spread the Word to End the Word was started by youth and is an ongoing effort of Special Olympics International and Best Buddies. The goal is to promote more inclusive communities for people with disabilities and special needs, and reach out to more people who can spread the word and pledge to use respectful language that promotes more accepting attitudes for all people. The R-Word initiative also helps celebrate the unique gifts and talents that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and can share with the world.
Press Conference
WHAT
Bishop Kearney High School will host a press conference where the New York State, Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and the Town of Irondequoit will proclaim the day “End the R-word Day”.
WHEN & WHERE
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 10:20 to 11:15 a.m., Bishop Kearney High School,125 Kings Hwy S., Rochester. Parking available in front loop; Media to be escorted to auditorium by Bishop Kearney High School students.
WHO
Conor McMahon, Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo
City of Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren
David Seeley, Irondequoit Town Supervisor
Steve Salluzzo, President, Bishop Kearney High School
Highlights of Other R-Word Activities The following Rochester organizations will be Spreading the Word to End the Word with pledge activities on site, email, social media campaigns and more:
March 7
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Nazareth College pledge signing, Café Sorelle (located in the Golisano Academic Center), 4245 East Ave., Rochester.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Rochester Museum and Science Center pledge signing, 657 East Ave., Rochester.
On-site media contacts: Hannah Barry (585) 271-4552 x247
10 a.m to 2 p.m. – University of Rochester Medical Center pledge signing at Café 601 at Strong (601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, located on the first floor of the hospital by the red elevators) and Eastman Dental lobby (625 Elmwood Ave., Rochester)
March 14 – 4 to 8 p.m.: Happy Hour at Swiftwater Brewery, 378 Mt Hope Ave., Rochester. $1 off drafts, pledge signing, t-shirt give away.
On-site media contact: Jim Rosette (585) 530-3471
March 23 – 4 p.m.: Spread the Word Amerks Game, Blue Cross Arena, 100 Exchange Blvd, Rochester. Banners and promotion throughout the game. Open skate for kids and families from 4 to 6:30 p.m.; game starts at 7:05 p.m.
Friends of the Golisano Foundation that are participating outside Rochester
Best Buddies New York (covers areas from New York City to Buffalo)
Lee Health Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
University at Buffalo
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital
How to Organize a Pledge Event
Go to r-word.org and take the pledge, and to get information and resources on how to Spread the word to end the word in schools, companies and organizations.
Email the Foundation with Pledge Activities
The Foundation will recognize those organizations that are spreading the word on the golisanofoundation.org web site.
The Foundation will also be following along on social media. Tag us in your pictures and tweets on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #respect, #rword, and #RocRespect.
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