News : Spread the Word: VS teachers join respect campaign on 3.4.15

Tilford staff members wear T-shirts urging students to 'Spread the word to end the word.'

VSMS teachers wore t-shirts marking 'Spread the Word' Day, March 4, 2015.

Several Vinton-Shellsburg teachers, including sisters Alexa Francois at VS Middle School and Stephanie Francois-Miller at Tilford, wore blue or grey t-shirts on Wednesday with the message: Spread the word to end the word.

March 4 is the date of the national effort to help Americans remember to speak more respectfully to one another. Many organizations also mark Disability Awareness Week during March.

Teachers at Tilford and VSMS gathered for photos at the end of school on Wednesday to help raise awareness locally. Ms. Francois said she discussed the campaign in her class, and hopes to see it eventually become a school-wide tradition.

Below is the Spread the Word fact sheet.

WHAT
Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies and our supporters to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with intellectual disabilities.

The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

WHEN
The annual day of awareness is held the first Wednesday of every March. While most activities are centered on or near that annual day in March, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.

WHO
Spread the Word to End the Word was founded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011) in 2009, and continues to be led by passionate young people, along with Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the United States and in many other parts of the world.

WHY
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the R-word.

Language affects attitudes. Attitudes impact actions. Make your pledge for #Respect today at www.R-word.org.

HOW
Visit www.r-word.org to learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word.

For more information, contact:

Christy White, Special Olympics cwhite@specialolympics.org
202-824-0307