Students are coming together to take a stand against using the “R-word” through a week-long event supporting Spread the Word to End the Word, an international campaign to promote inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

UT’s chapter of Best Buddies, an international nonprofit that pairs students with people in the community who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, is hosting the event with the support of more than 40 student organizations. 

“It aims at spreading the word to end the R-word, and the R-word is ‘retarded,’ in any shape or form,” said Mackenzie Fugate, Best Buddies director of fundraising.

Fugate, a human development and family science junior, said the term   was originally used as a medical diagnosis, although it’s not used in that capacity anymore.

“Sometimes this word is used as a synonym for things that are weird or stupid or dumb, and that’s not what these people are,” Fugate said. “These people are just as human as we are; they’re just as special as we are. They deserve to be respected and loved and cherished and accepted in whatever community they’re in.”

Fugate said students who signed the pledge last year have returned to tell them how the campaign has impacted their awareness of using the word.

“Seeing how our buddies react when someone says that word so casually, it hurts them,” said Madison Waun, Best Buddies officer and director of the event. “One of our buddies posted earlier in our Facebook page saying that he supports what we’re doing because the word ‘retarded’ makes him sad. It upsets them and hurts them because that’s not what they are, it’s not what defines them, it’s not who they are.”

Radio-television-film senior Audra Webbe said she signed the pledge this year and last year because she thinks the usage of the word needs to stop as it signifies the past and negative perception of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I’m more aware of (the word) when it’s used now,” Webbe said. “I remember it being used a lot in middle school and high school, of course. I think it’s kind of gone out with a lot of words that are going out, which is good, absolute progress in society.”

The campaign will be tabling all week in West Mall and Gregory Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a celebration Wednesday for the event’s annual day of awareness.