How to get Involved

Take the R-word pledge

Count R-word Offenses on the Web

Join the Spread the Word to End the Word Facebook group

End the Word Channel on YouTube

End the Word on Twitter

Spread the Word Merchandise




Around the world, young people on college campuses, in high school cafeterias and in the community have joined a
movement of mutual respect and human dignity called Spread the Word to End the Word . The goal of this
movement: get people to stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard” and pledge to
stop using it.

What is Spread the Word to End the Word ?

Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign created by youth, in an ongoing effort with Best Buddies International
and Special Olympics, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about
the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word.

On March 3, 2010, youth are leading the second annual day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word by
encouraging people to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org with the goal of reaching 100,000 pledges.

The day will be devoted to educating and raising awareness of the positive impact individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the R-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation.
But Spread the Word to End the Word is more than just a one day event.

How It Started

Spread the Word to End the Word was created by youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities
who participated in the Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
The motivation for the campaign was driven by a united passion to promote the positive contributions people with intellectual
and developmental  disabilities make to communities around the world combined with a simple call to action – a pledge to stop
using a word – that also symbolizes positive attitude change and a commitment to make the world a more accepting place for all people.

Motivated by their commitment to action, actor John C. McGinley was inspired to join these youth and their dedication to
stop the casual use of the R-Word.

“Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with
intellectual disabilities, their families and friends,” said McGinley. “I choose to believe that most of us are fundamentally good
and that we’re just not aware that the word is offensive and that it hurts.”

Read a personal message from John C. McGinley on the inaugural day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word .

Best Buddies International participated in the campaign during the inaugural year and officially signed on as a partner in the
campaign in 2010. Spread the Word to End the Word is part of Best Buddies global volunteer movement to provide
friendship,jobs, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and make the world
see the abilities of all people with disabilities.

How YOU can help Spread the Word

Join thousands of people around the world in making a difference. Make your pledge to end the R-word now! If you’ve already
pledged, re-pledge. Spread the word thru emails, Tweets and Facebook updates to get your friends and family to pledge.

You can also join us for this year’s day of awareness on March 3, 2010. You can use these tools year-round to host your
own Spread the Word to End the Word day of awareness in your community or school. If you have questions, please
email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1-800-89-BUDDY (2-8339).

Click on the links below for information and resources (General Information and Media Materials documents are Microsoft Word
documents. Posters and Print Materials are Adobe PDFs unless otherwise noted).