New Campus Organization Works to Raise Awareness of the R-Word

The UF chapter of Students Teaching Respect for Individuals with Disabilities Everyday (STRIDE) will host an event on campus from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, in the Alumni Memorial Union at the fireside lounge. The event, Spread the Word to End the Word, will raise awareness about the negative impact of using the word “retarded.”

“A lot of young people don’t understand the negative impact of using the ‘R’ word,” said Amy Diemer, freshman early childhood education major.

Two participants in the Hancock Special Olympics 3-Games High series, Andrea Heitmeyer and Michelle Boyles, will be present at the event. Heitmeyer and Boyles will help STRIDE invite students to pledge to not use the word “retarded.” STRIDE will show clips from YouTube about the power of choosing words carefully.

STRIDE can be contacted through Mariah Hohman, STRIDE president, at hohmanm@findlay.edu.