Promoting Acceptance and Inclusion

 
This year, Special Olympics celebrates 40 years of changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sport, along with building more inclusive and engaged communities around the world - places where each person, regardless of ability or disability, is accepted and welcomed and where every individual contributes to the strength and vibrancy of the whole.

Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of word r-word (retard) being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate racial and ethnic prejudicial language such as the N word, among others, the r-word is gaining popularity.

An Underserved and Neglected Population

According to the World Health Organization, 193 million people, or 3 percent of the world’s population, are individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) – the largest of all disability groups. The occurrence of intellectual disabilities knows no boundaries; it cuts across lines of race, ethnicity, education level, social class, and economic background. In addition, there are millions of family members and friends touched by a person with intellectual disability.

Although the population of people with intellectual disabilities exists in every community, it is nearly invisible and is considered one of the most neglected segments of society worldwide.  People with intellectual disabilities are routinely abused, neglected, insulted, and institutionalized, and even killed around the world.  Their parents are told to give up—that their children are worthless.  Schools in vast numbers turn them away.  They are bullied 50 percent more often than any other group. Doctors in vast numbers refuse to treat them.  Employers in vast numbers refuse to offer them jobs.

Persistent Negative Stereotypes and Marginalization

Despite changes in the laws to protect people with intellectual disabilities, they remain on the fringe – marginalized and segregated from the whole of society. Negative perceptions and stereotypes still prevail and the value and worth of people with intellectual disabilities to overall society is not recognized resulting in millions of lives that are shown little dignity or respect.

And yet, these stereotypes do not reflect the true talents and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. Like, Florence Nabayinda, who abandoned at birth and discarded as trash, is now an accomplished marathoner, employee and valued and contributing member of her community. Like, Troy Daniels who graduated from his local community high school and speaks of the importance of friendship and acceptance. Like David Egan, who is a valued-coworker and employee where he works at Booz Allen. Like Loretta Claiborne, who lives independently, is an ESPY award-winner, and self advocates for all people with intellectual disabilities on Capitol Hill. The negative stereotype the r-word conveys is inaccurate and destructive.

The R-word’s Increasing Popularity

The r-word, “retard”, has become too commonplace in society. Retarded has even spawned new words: celebutard, a famous stupid person; debutard, a rich stupid person; e-tard, a stupid Internet user -- stupid being the common denominator and "tard" a suffix and a word in itself. ("Tard: Adjective used to describe one so retarded, they do not deserve the 're' " -- Urban Dictionary.)

The r-word has gone mainstream, beyond the core population of its origins and primary meaning. Young and old people alike use the word.  In the majority of its usage the word conveys a negative message. Although many people may not understand the hurtful impact, the truth is, it hurts, even when people do not mean it that way.  No matter the usage, the discriminatory impact on those people who are the target use of the word is significant.

Special Olympics is working to eliminate the pejorative use of the word retard (or comparable word in different cultures) from use in everyday language, and more importantly create a world of dignity, acceptance and inclusion for people with disability. Special Olympics is reaching out to educate and build awareness of the destructive power of the word through schools, parents, and young people.

Historically, we have seen the elimination of other negative stigmatizing words through awareness and education campaigns and societal pressure. We no longer tolerate calling blacks, Jews, Chinese, physically handicapped, homosexuals, or Hispanics by the words nigger, kike, chink, crip, faggot, and spic, respectively. 

Now is the Time to Act

Yet the r-word remains.  It is time to eliminate the use of this word. It is time for ALL people to speak up and let others know that they will not tolerate the use of the word. It is time to recognize the worth and value of people with intellectual disabilities and welcome them into a society that can only benefit from their inclusion and acceptance. 

Next time you hear the r-word, think of Florence, David and Loretta. Think of your friends and neighbors. ACT NOW — Take the pledge  and help eliminate the r-word today.