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Special Olympics New York, more than 50 schools to 'Spread the Word' for inclusion

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Wed, Mar 6th 2019 04:55 pm

Global movement inspires supporters worldwide with pledge to include

Special Olympics New York, in partnership with more than 50 schools across the state, today kicked off the annual “Spread the Word” campaign, a month of events and activities that promote inclusion in schools and communities around the globe.

Activities led by students, sports teams, coaches and staff in New York schools include pledge-signing events, banner signings, PA announcements, awareness videos and social media posts. In celebration of these events, Special Olympics New York will invite its community to participate in a statewide inclusion spirit week beginning March 25.

“The Special Olympics ‘Spread the Word’ campaign is one of our proudest times of the year, as we see the Special Olympics New York family and entire New York state community support people with intellectual disabilities in fun, creative and inspiring ways,” said Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “Thank you to all of the schools and students participating this year. We look forward to celebrating your commitments and giving everyone one last chance to join the fun with our spirit week at the end of the month.”

Spread the Word” is a global Special Olympics movement that has, since 2009, challenged youth and adults to pledge to spread respect and inclusion by taking a pledge to end the use of the R-word. Today, the campaign invites everyone not only to end this act of exclusion, but to commit to an act of inclusion by taking the “Spread the Word” pledge.

To date, more than 780,000 people have taken the campaign’s pledge online and millions more have signed banners or petitions at events around the world.

The “Spread the Word to Inclusion” campaign highlights the divisions in schools, workplace, and communities that have led to social isolation, exclusion and other forms of social abuse among individuals with intellectual disabilities all over the world. More than 15 percent of the global population is estimated to have a disability, with 80 percent in low-income or developing countries; and many of them continue to be left out educationally, socially and economically.

Those wishing to support the campaign are encouraged to take the pledge at http://spreadtheword.global and share their commitment to inclusion with Special Olympics New York on Twitter @SpecOlympicsNY, Instagram @SpecialOlympicsNY and Facebook @SpecialOlympicsNY.

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