I would bet every day someone around you makes a slur against people with disability.

For instance how often do you hear, “What a retard,” or “that’s retarded.”

I’ve had many conversations with people regarding their use of the R‐word. Their response is universally the same: “Oh, it’s nothing. I don’t mean any harm, I’m just kidding around.”

According to Webster “retarded” means, “slow, or limited in mental, physical or emotional development.” Using that word in any way to belittle someone is extremely offensive to people with disabilities. People with disabilities are complete human beings and when we use the R‐word to mock, we devalue many people.

Nowadays we gasp if we hear someone use the N‐word. We have evolved in our humanity to understand that the Nword is discriminatory, offensive and racist. It has rightly become social taboo.

Unfortunately the R-word is now used as casually as the N‐word once was.

As offensive as it is, the R‐word is common slang. We hear it used by kids on playgrounds, teens at school, and adults at the office. Montana Advocacy Program is joining the disability rights awareness campaign against the R‐word. We ask you to not use the word. We also ask you to pay attention. When you hear a child, co‐worker, or friend use the R‐word, ask them not to. Thoughtlessly using the words “retard” or “retarded” perpetuates prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities. It is hurtful and should not be tolerated. Let us all do our part to hold ourselves and each other accountable.

by Bernadette Franks-Ongoy, Executive Director
Montana Advocacy Program
400 N. Park Ave.
Helena, MT 59405

Voice/TDD: (406) 449-2344
Toll Free: (800) 245-4743
Fax: (406) 449-2418
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Website: www.mtadv.org