Special Olympics aims to end the use of derogatory words

The national campaign to “Spread the Word to End the Word” officially commences today.

The campaign is sponsored by the Special Olympics, and according to its Web site, more than 700 events are planned nationwide.

“Our role is to raise awareness of the day and continue advocacy,” said Vicki Pappas, director of the Center for Planning and Policy Studies at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

The campaign aims to end the use of “retarded” and related words as derogatory terms. Pappas said inflicted people prefer to be referred to as people with intellectual disabilities. But she said they want to be seen as people more than the label of disability.

“At the center, we try to respect the intent of the day, each day,” Pappas said.

She encouraged students and others to use the day as a time to stop and reflect to see if they are guilty of using the word negatively. She said students need to be sensitive to their own use of the word and pay attention to the way they use it.

Pappas said the institute’s research shows people with intellectual disabilities consider their biggest barrier to be people’s negative attitudes.

“Attitudes won’t change unless you interact with people who are different,” Pappas said, “The more you interact, the (more) attitudes change.”

Pappas said that society believes that if someone doesn’t do something well, he or she is “retarded.” She urged students to look beyond labels and get to know different people.

The campaign includes a live stream rally on www.schooltube.com and features actor Eddie Barbanell. It also features students around the country who are pledging to stop using “retarded” with their friends.

“It’s the dark side of all of us,” Pappas said,  “It’s still there, and we still have a lot of work to do.”