Irish Fightin’ for Inclusion: Spread the Word to End the Word at the University of Notre Dame

As students bustle between classes at the University of Notre Dame, they are enticed by the Spread the Word to End the Word banner signing and pledging stations at both dining centers on campus. Each year during March, the university’s Special Olympics College organization prepares for a week of events to encourage students to remove the use of the R-word from their everyday language.

“We have noticed students who have wanted to get involved and help out, just from having tables available, signs, and posters in the dorms. Our message is being communicated and it’s significant because people are taking time to understand the goal,” Jack Kaspar, Notre Dame Special Olympics Club president, said.

The university created a video to share with the student body about the hurtful effects of the R-word. The video stars Mary Beth, an athlete, who wanted to participate in the video to increase student awareness for the campaign. With her outgoing personality, Mary Beth was able to excite students to participate in the program and take the pledge.

Aside from tabling in the dining centers on campus, the Special Olympics College program at Notre Dame partners with their Best Buddies organization and hosts inclusive activities throughout a week in March. Collaboration between the two organizations provides a greater opportunity to spread awareness on campus. Whether it is increasing the number of individuals who are wearing Spread the Word to End the Word shirts, or reviewing a movie in the school’s film festival about overcoming adversity, the campus has engrained ideas of the campaign into the school’s culture.

For other universities looking to start the campaign on their campus, Kaspar recommends taking a step back and reviewing the climate of the school before implementing new programs. “Understand where you will get the most attention as a starting point,” Kaspar said. “Before creating flyers and posting general information for the event, think about where people will see it and how they can get involved.” The organization also shared information with students through the school’s email list and media outlets.

Notre Dame also encourages organizations hosting Spread the Word to End the Word campaigns to implement athletes in as many aspects of the campaign as possible. They have noticed that when students have a name and a story to match with a face, they feel a more personal connection with the campaign. The individual taking the pledge will advocate for the athlete, and continue to spread the message that others should do the same.

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.