A Husky Fight for Inclusion: University of Washington prepares for week of R-word campaign initiatives

At the University of Washington, “Nothing about us, without us” is the motto of their Special Olympics College Program. This motto guides the club’s interaction with students across campus and is the platform for the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign this year.

This year, the members of the organization at UW are enhancing their efforts to get students on campus involved in the campaign. With more than 45,000 students on campus, there are a variety of ways for individuals to be exposed to the campaign. This year, the organization will be spreading awareness through the entire campus community.

Individuals who take the pledge have the opportunity to win merchandise that endorses the campaign. The organization has also launched a social media video campaign that describes the negative impacts of the R-word and illustrates the importance of its elimination from everyday language.

“It is important for people to take the pledge because it is hurtful and dehumanizing to individuals with intellectual disabilities. When the entire Special Olympics College Club at UW is tabling, it puts a face to a cause and show the people this derogatory word is impacting,” Jenna Weber, Spread the Word to End the Word coordinator at UW, said.

Members of the SO College program at UW have been spending their time increasing awareness of the campaign through the encouragement of equal representation within student groups and planned events. This is how their organization has been successful in their endeavors to activate inclusion throughout their campus. They have one piece of advice for other campuses looking to get involved.

“If a campus does not have an active Unified club or students don’t have the resources to host big events, there are still ways to promote the campaign. Simple activities such as educating people when they hear the R-word being used or sharing the R-word information on social media platforms to inform others of the word can have a large impact within the community,” Weber said.

Members of the organization have noticed a change in the culture on campus through the introduction of the R-word campaign. Students have noticed a more respectful environment among students. They have focused on advocating for a community of individuals who may not always be heard, or that students may not know about.

When students at UW aren’t advocating for change at their university, they can be found participating in three different Unified Sports Leagues. Whether it’s basketball in the winter or track in the spring, the SO College Program at UW is changing the face of inclusion year-round.

Join members of the UW organization and take the pledge this week at www.r-word.org.

If you have a story, video, photo, poem, essay, guide, dance, (or anything else) to share with the world, follow the three easy steps in this link or publish your story on Medium and email it to spalumbo@specialolympics.org. If you prefer, you could also put your story into a word document, let us know whether you would like it published under your name or anonymously, and email it to spalumbo@specialolympics.org.

Pledge your support to end the R-Word here.