Join the Campaign to Ban the R Word in your community

Negative stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities are kept alive when people use demeaning words. Too often, people say "retard" or "retarded" without thinking about the effects these words have on others - even if it's not meant in a mean way.

If you are not sure how to refer to someone with intellectual disabilities, check out our language guidelines. Better yet, call them by their name. That's what they really want; to be thought of as no different from you or me. You would be surprised that they actually have more in common than not...they like music, dancing, talking about sports, movies, just like you.

Intellectual disability knows no boundaries. It touches everyone. Intellectual disability transcends geographical, racial and ethnic barriers. A person with intellectual disabilities could be your sister, your brother, your neighbor, your teammate, your classmate, your mentor, or your teacher. Most importantly, a person with intellectual disability can be your friend.

Remember, it's never okay to say the R word whether talking about a person with intellectual disabilities or joking with your friends. When you hear others say the 'R' word, speak up and challenge them to stop using the word.

View the speech given by Soeren Palumbo about the way he feels when he hears the word. You'll never hear the word the same way again.