College of Education and Human Development
Spread the Word to End the Word
February 26, 2014
Spread the word to end the word. What word? The "R-word." Watch this beautiful video from Mason LIFE.
The Mason LIFE Program is an innovative post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment.
For this video, Mason LIFE students came together to Spread the Word to End the Word as part of a larger R-word campaign supported by Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and over 200 other organizations around the world. The annual day of awareness, this year on March 5, 2014, shows how the word "retarded" is no longer just used as a medical term to describe people with intellectual and physical disabilities; it has turned into a word used carelessly as a synonym for dumb, silly, stupid, and other hurtful terms.
The video and campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions. You can pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.
The Mason LIFE program is supported by the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. The college embraces the principles of equity and access to all opportunities in society by increasing student diversity and accommodations for people with disabilities. In addition, the program provides George Mason University students majoring in therapeutic recreation, education, psychology, assistive technology, social work, and other human service studies with hand-on experience and training.
About CEHD
George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the largest teacher preparation and education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a comprehensive range of degrees, certificates, courses, and licensure programs on campus, online, and on site. The college is distinguished by faculty who encourage new ways of thinking and pioneering research supported by more than $75 million in funding over the past five years.
For additional information:
- CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
- College of Education and Human Development: cehd.gmu.edu
- Mason LIFE program: masonlife.gmu.edu
Follow CEHD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasonCEHD or Twitter at @MasonCEHD.