March 5, 2014 is 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 is 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.
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.
9:00 - 11:30 AM
University of Rochester Medical Center, Cafe 601
DJ Louie | 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
University of Rochester Wilson Commons Hirsch Lounge
Wheels in Motion | River Campus
This dance group of abled bodied persons and persons in wheelchairs performed and the leader of the group shared his story of life in a wheelchair, his struggles and triumphs.
Noon - 3:00 PM
University of Rochester Medical Center Cafe 601
Gregory Street Blues Band | 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester
2:00 PM
Mercy HIgh School
School wide pledge - 800 students, faculty and staff
1437 Blossom Rd, Rochester, NY 14610
Mercy l Spread the Word on March 5th throughout the school in every classroom with posters, pledge banners, and online pledges.
All Day Activities to Spread the Word
Penn Yan Academy
305 Court St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
School-wide announcement. Students received Spread the Word to End the Word wristbands in homeroom classes. Student leaders wore r-word T-shirts. During lunches students signed the pledge banner that hangs in the front lobby for all to see and to sign, as a visual impact of the event and its importance. A video made by our teacher librarian and media students was shown to all students Friday during a school wide assembly. It signifies the importance of ending the r-word that deserves more than just a day of recognition and is something to continually strive for.
Sigl Community of Agencies
1000 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
The Sigl Community has added the pledge link to its web site and is sharing posts and content on social media. They spotlighted Spread the Word to End the Word in their e-newsletter, invited friends and neighbors to take the pledge, and hung posters throughout Al Sigl's campuses.
Roberts Wesleyan College
“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.“
How to Take the Pledge & Spread the Word!
WROC TV 8 | Video
WHEC TV 10 | Video
Time Warner News
Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI News
WXXI TV - Need to Know