Article published March 03, 2010 GETTING THE WORD OUT Campaign aims to raise awareness, sensitivity Groups targeting use of unpleasant term
Darryl Robinson, front, and Donald Brunion, of Josina Lott Residential & Community Services in Sylvania, say a commonly used word for the developmentally disabled can be hurtful. Both men are happy that today is the second annual awareness day to 'Spread the Word to End the Word,' which encourages greater sensitivity toward the developmentally disabled.
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THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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Donald Brunion and Darryl Robinson will tell you that.
Mention the word "retard" to these two developmentally disabled men and their expressions change from bright smiles to concerned frowns.
"It's a mean word," said Mr. Robinson, 39, as he sat contemplating the term at Josina Lott Residential & Community Services in Sylvania. "It makes people feel bad."
That's why both men are happy that today is the second annual awareness day for an international campaign called "Spread the Word to End the Word."
The movement, organized last year by young people at a Special Olympics summit, aims to eradicate use of the "R" word through education and by encouraging people to sign an online pledge not to say it.
The campaign has the support of organizations, schools, and communities across the United States, including Josina Lott. The organization provides housing, life skills training, and work placements to developmentally disabled adults in the northwest Ohio area.
Michael Malone, executive director of Josina Lott, said the day is important because "retard" continues to creep into everyday conversations, reinforcing decades of negative stereotyping and abuse against the developmentally disabled.
"We need to be cognizant of what words we say and that they're hurtful sometimes, even if we don't think they are," Mr. Malone explained. "You may just be calling your homework or a basketball shot retarded, but it's a label that individuals with disabilities have had to work through for years."
That struggle is something Mr. Malone has witnessed during his more than 30 years working with the developmentally disabled.
In the past, it was common practice to segregate people with conditions such as Down syndrome and autism from the rest of society, putting them in mental institutions or in special schools, Mr. Malone said.
"Now they learn skills and live and take care of themselves in the community," he said, describing how many of the disabled people served by his center live in regular housing and have jobs.
"We've come a great distance, but we still have a ways to go," Mr. Malone said.
Those changes have been accompanied by shifts in language.
Last summer, Gov. Ted Strickland signed legislation to remove the words "mental retardation" from the name of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and from the names of all 88 county boards.
Lon Mitchell, spokesman for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said it took a lot of work to remove "mental retardation" from all of the agency's terminology and literature, but it was an important step.
"It does make a difference to the people we serve. It's an indication that we're evolving to a point that we're recognizing the person first as opposed to the disability," Mr. Mitchell said.
He hopes campaigns like "Spread the Word to End the Word" and a similar one called "Disable the Label" will encourage everyone to drop the "R" word.
The agency plans to send some of its developmentally disabled clients to a rally at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus tomorrow to raise awareness about the issue and to mark the beginning of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brunion and Mr. Robinson at Josina Lott said they want people to know that, despite their disabilities, they are working, earning money, and helping others.
Mr. Robinson works every day shredding paper for local businesses, and Mr. Brunion cleans at a Ronald McDonald house.
"They're so able to do so many things, and so willing and friendly," said Karen Weisman, community development coordinator at Josina Lott. "You meet them, and you realize they are some of the nicest people you've ever met."
Contact Claudia Boyd-Barrett at: cbarrett@theblade.com or 419-724-6507. Permanent LinkCampaign aims to raise awareness, sensitivityhttp://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100303/NEWS16/3030353STORY:20103030353
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