Scanlon, Cohen, Students: 'Spread the Word to End the R Word'

GUILFORD, CT —State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) and Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford)joined a national movement and dozens of Guilford High School students in signing a pledge to “Spread the Word to End the R Word,” promising to eliminate from her vocabulary the hurtful use of the words “retard” and “retarded.”

This year’s pledge went even further, ending the use of all derogatory words.

“We should be incredibly proud of our community for implementing this program and for the evidence of its tremendous success,” Cohen said.

“Watching student after student sign a pledge to eliminate derogatory words from their repertoire is truly remarkable. Our future looks bright, kind and compassionate.”

Cohen and Scanlon and members of Guilford High’s Unified Sports Club joined to promote more focus on the people in the disability community and the gifts and accomplishments that they have to offer.

Students at Guilford High School will collect signatures all week from classmate pledging to take all derogatory language from their everyday speech and to celebrate our differences.

The Safe Schools Climate Committee along with the Cultural Competency Committee and Unified Sports will spend three days on the “Spread the Word Inclusion” event.

More than half a million people have signed the pledge since the event was created in 2009.