March 6th is Spread the Word Day

Miami, FL, March 6, 2024 — March 6th is Spread the Word Day, a day designated to “showcasing the impact of inclusive language and actions so that the discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities can come to an end.” Spread the Word Day is run by the organization Spread the Word, which is “part of Special Olympics and supported by Best Buddies.”

Since 2009, over 800,000 people have pledged to spread the word to end their use of the r-word. Here’s how you can to pledge spread the word for inclusion:

Take the pledge: make your commitment to spread inclusion by taking the pledge here.
Challenge others to pledge: invite those in your school, workplace or community to make their commitment to spread inclusion by sharing the online pledge or hosting a physical pledge drive.
Take action: sit next to someone alone at lunch. Be a teammate or friend to someone who has been excluded. Educate classmates and colleagues about the gifts and values of all people. There are many ways to practice inclusion–make your commitment to one and do it.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.