Erase the 'R' word campaign
Because the terms “mental retardation” and “retarded” are overwhelmingly used as slang, self-advocates with developmental disabilities began an effort two years ago to drop the terms from the names of the organizations serving them. Click here to watch a video made in 2008 by the members of our local self-advocates group, EPRO. The video addresses just how hurtful labels can be.
Self-advocates from EPRO and from around the state petitioned state lawmakers to develop legislation that would allow all county boards to drop the ‘MR’ term from their name. Last year the Butler County Board of MRDD became the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities is founded on the belief that all people, regardless of circumstances, have inherent worth and the right to be treated with dignity.
The Board serves about 2,500 infants, children and adults. Supports and services are available life-long through contracts with partner agencies or directly provided by the DD agency. Much of what the Butler County Board of DD does goes beyond the walls of its facilities and takes place in the community, where individuals are supported to live, work and learn in their community.
The Board has a new slogan – Supporting Possibilities. The Board’s programs support possibilities and encourage positive awareness about people with developmental disabilities. It is often attitudinal barriers that affect everyday life for people with developmental disabilities. In addressing those barriers through positive awareness efforts, fears and negative attitudes can be replaced with knowledge and understanding, and most importantly, respect.
After the name change, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities began an “Erase the ‘R’ Word” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to help people realize just how hurtful the ‘R’ word is. Many people may use the ‘R’ word as slang without realizing that it has the power to hurt someone.
Awareness Campaign Materials
People First Language - Language is a reflection of how people see each other. That's why the words we use can hurt. Click here to download a one-page flyer about People First language. Click here to download a sheet of printable bookmarks.
The Board has created four audio-visual tools to for the Erase the R Word awareness campaign.
Awareness Poster - this year's awareness poster highlights people in everyday life as friends, families and co-workers. Click here to see the poster.
Awareness Video - a six minute video explaining the "Erase the 'R' Word" slogan was created. The video includes the public service announcement and the radio commercial. It is being shared with community groups, civic organizations and local school districts. See it below:
Public Service Announcement - a 30-second public service announcement is running on select Time Warner Cable stations throughout the year. See the commercial below:
Radio Commercial - a 30-second commercial is runnign on 700 WLW throughout the year. Click here to download an MP3 file of the commercial.
For more information about the awareness campaign, or to schedule a speaker for your organization or class, contact Wendy Planicka, Communications Coordinator.
The Board also partnered with the Southwest Ohio Council of Governments (which includes the county boards of Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren) to produce advertising materials around the "Erase the 'R' Word" theme. The group ran advertisements in local theaters from December to March and also ran advertisements in local newspapers. The group has a web site: http://www.erasetherword.com
