United Coalition for Down Syndrome Condemns the Rise in the Use of the R-word
Numerous media outlets have reported a sharp increase in the word's usage across television, radio, podcasts, social media, and the internet. A recent study examining social media in January 2025 revealed a staggering 207.5% rise in posts containing the R-word on X alone – totaling 312,642 instances.
Shockingly, there are some who believe its use is a 'great cultural victory.'
We firmly reject that notion. The R-word is not a cultural triumph – it is a tool of marginalization. It dehumanizes people with Down syndrome and other disabilities and can contribute to mental distress and long-lasting harm. This type of language is rooted in the same prejudice that, for decades, led to people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities being placed in cruel and inhumane institutions such as Willowbrook, NY – a practice that continued well into the early 1990s.
'Being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor. No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much. And yet here we are in 2025 with some of the most influential people in our country, like naughty little boys with their first curse word, reviving the use of the R-word just to gain attention and, meanwhile, opening the floodgates to its popular use. I appreciate the United Coalition for Down Syndrome standing up for what is right, and I hope this goes a long way in educating people that using the R-word is like a little dagger jabbing at our dignity as human beings,' says Frank Stephens, a Special Olympics Global Messenger associated with the 'End the Word' campaign, and Global Down Syndrome Foundation board member.
The United Coalition for Down Syndrome embraces and is grateful for the freedom of speech that defines our nation. But using that freedom to perpetuate a derogatory term aimed at one of society's most vulnerable populations is not bold – it's cowardly. Not everyone with an intellectual and developmental disability can push back against such slurs or exact any meaningful social cost on those who use them.
We believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans want to do the right thing. The United Coalition for Down Syndrome urges everyone to make the conscious choice to leave this word behind. In exercising our freedom of speech, let's also choose compassion, dignity, and respect. These are lives worth celebrating – and our language should reflect that truth.
Related Resources :
GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers: Community Page; GiGi's Message on the R Word
Global Down Syndrome Foundation: Words Can Hurt
National Down Syndrome Congress: NDSC condemns the use of the 'R-word' and calls for respectful language
National Down Syndrome Society: Preferred Language Guide; R-Word TikTok Video
Special Olympics: Why the R-word is the R-Slur; Increase Usage of the R-word on Social Media
About the United Coalition for Down Syndrome
The United Coalition for Down Syndrome (UCDS) is a coalition of national Down syndrome organizations seeking to facilitate collective action and speak with a unified voice concerning critical issues that impact the Down syndrome community in the United States. UCDS is comprised of the following national organizations: GiGi's Playhouse Achievement Centers, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, LuMind IDSC, National Down Syndrome Congress, and National Down Syndrome Society. All of our organizations remain steadfastly non-partisan, focusing solely on the well-being of individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Schumer demands RFK Jr. declare measles emergency, saying he 'walked' US into outbreak
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declare a nationwide emergency over spiking measles cases, accusing him of fueling the outbreak by dismantling public health and undermining trust in vaccines. "Under your tutelage as Secretary, you have undermined vaccines, gutted public health funding, and dismantled core federal protections meant to keep Americans safe," Schumer wrote in a July 11 letter. "You have walked our country into the nation's largest measles outbreak in 33 years," he added. Measles cases skyrocket, especially in unvaccinated A quarter century after measles were eradicated in the U.S., cases have skyrocketed this year, reaching 1,288 confirmed cases across 39 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three people have died this year. Officials say almost nine in ten of the cases are spread across New Mexico and Texas, the site of a Mennonite community that became the initial hub of the outbreak earlier this year. Most cases – 65% – are in people 19 years old and younger, and the vast majority – 92% – are unvaccinated people. The outbreak has turned attention and heavy criticism from health experts towards Kennedy's vaccine skepticism and baseless claims that vaccines are dangerous and ineffective. Kennedy has said the measles vaccine weakens over time – a claim disputed by scientists – and that "we can't rely simply on the vaccine" to address the outbreak. He has also downplayed the measles outbreak, saying more focus should be turned on chronic diseases like diabetes and autism instead. In May, Kennedy directed the CDC to find new "scientific process" for treating measles and other diseases with drugs and vitamins. Although vaccines would still be recommended as the best way to prevent the disease, some "may choose not to vaccinate." More: Measles was eradicated in the US 25 years ago. This week, cases reached a new high. Kennedy fired all 17 members of a vaccine advisory last month, refilling it with some vaccine skeptics who have announced their first priority would be retooling vaccine recommendations for children. Kennedy's drastic cuts to department programs and slashing of thousands of workers at the department have sparked alarm from public health experts and outrage from Democratic lawmakers. Kennedy said in April he would sack 10,000 Health and Human Services employees as part of the Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce. Since then, the department has faced a myriad of legal challenges, most recently from top medical organizations over Kennedy dropping the COVID vaccine from the list of recommended shots for children and pregnant women. Schumer is the latest Democrat on Capitol Hill to upbraid Kennedy in recent days over the measles outbreak. "We have a record-breaking number of measles cases in America," Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, wrote on X, accusing Kennedy of filling the vaccine panel with "unvetted vaccine skeptics." "Where is our public hearing on this crisis?" The measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the disease when administered in the recommended two doses, according to the CDC. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, when skepticism of vaccines surged, buoyed by online conspiracies and distrust of public health institutions, measles vaccinations have dropped across the nation.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Four States Told To Avoid Exercise This Weekend—'Keep Windows Closed'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans across four states have been urged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity this weekend as air quality plummets to dangerous levels and smoke drifts south from massive Canadian wildfires. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality warnings in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Jersey, with Minnesotans specifically warned to keep their windows closed through Monday morning. Why It Matters Poor air quality puts vulnerable people, including children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions, at greater risk of serious health problems. An air quality alert sign is seen as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada reaches Minneapolis on June 3, 2025. An air quality alert sign is seen as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada reaches Minneapolis on June 3, 2025. Mark Vancleave/AP What To Know The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended its Air Quality Alert through 9 a.m. Monday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) could reach the "Very Unhealthy" or "Purple" category in some regions—meaning even healthy people face a higher risk of harmful effects. A thick blanket of smoke has already moved into parts of the state behind a cold front, with a second, heavier wave expected to spread statewide by Saturday afternoon. Officials recommend everyone, especially sensitive groups, stay indoors, avoid outdoor exercise, and keep windows shut. "Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid all physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion," the NWS said. "Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. "Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors." In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory covering nearly every county. Fine particle pollution, or PM2.5, is expected to reach levels from "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" to outright "Unhealthy" between early Saturday and noon Monday. Northern areas could briefly hit "Very Unhealthy" levels. Officials urge sensitive groups to move all activities indoors and for everyone else to limit outdoor exertion. Conditions expected to gradually improve on Sunday but remain poor statewide into Monday morning. In Colorado, the Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke covering much of southern and western parts of the state, including Rio Grande, Conejos, Mineral, Saguache, Gunnison, La Plata, and San Juan counties. Multiple wildfires are producing moderate to heavy smoke through early Saturday morning. If visibility drops below five miles, residents are urged to limit or avoid outdoor activity entirely. Meanwhile, an Ozone Action Day Alert is in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor, including Denver and surrounding counties, where hot, stagnant weather is expected to push ozone pollution to levels unhealthy for sensitive groups. New Jersey has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for parts of the state, including Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Union counties. Ground-level ozone levels could reach concentrations considered unsafe for children, seniors, and people with asthma or heart disease. Residents in these areas are advised to limit outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday and reduce driving and other activities that worsen local air pollution. Amid the air quality warnings, a group of six Republican lawmakers wrote to Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the United States, demanding to know her government's plans for tackling the wildfires. The lawmakers also accused Canada of lax forest management which they say has contributed to "suffocating" smoke. "In our neck of the woods, summer months are the best time of the year to spend time outdoors recreating, enjoying time with family, and creating new memories," representatives from Wisconsin and Minnesota wrote in the letter. "But this wildfire smoke makes it difficult to do all those things." Canada's government said it was reviewing the letter and planned to offer a response. What People Are Saying The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said on X, formerly Twitter: "An air quality alert has been issued due to wildfire smoke until 9 a.m. on 7/14. Air quality is expected to reach the purple category, very unhealthy for everyone, in northern MN & will be in the red & orange categories in southern MN." The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment said on X: "Ozone will remain in the Good to Moderate range on Friday, but reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Saturday." The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said on X: "An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been declared for Saturday, July 12th! "Sensitive individuals, including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours. A continued light onshore flow, partly cloudy skies, and warm temperatures are expected. As a result, ozone levels will reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in northern portions of the state, while southern and coastal areas will remain in the moderate range. Fine particulates are expected to drop to low-moderate levels in northern and central New Jersey, and fall to good levels elsewhere." What Happens Next Warnings are in place until up to noon on Monday.
The Hill
4 hours ago
- The Hill
America's caregivers are struggling — this bipartisan bill can help them
America has a caregiving problem. Most seniors want to age in place — to live out their years in their own homes. But for many, doing so requires help, not necessarily with medical care but with everyday tasks like transportation, meal prep, errands and medication reminders. Unfortunately, the current system offers few affordable options. The market is largely limited to expensive home health aides and skilled nurses — a necessary resource for some, but not those who require less intensive care. These costs are more than financial. When seniors can't access in-home support, they're often left isolated, which is linked to higher rates of depression, cognitive decline and even early mortality. Yet the solution to this problem isn't a sweeping new government program — too often this comes with large price tags, rigid requirements and unintended consequences. What we need instead are practical reforms that make existing systems work better and reflect the reality of how caregiving works. Today, more than 53 million Americans serve as family caregivers to someone like an aging relative, a disabled loved one or a special-needs child, and the vast majority of these caregivers are women. These unpaid heroes fill critical gaps, often while juggling careers, personal health issues and other responsibilities . Yet they often face barriers that make caregiving even harder than it has to be. One such barrier is found in the tax code. Right now, Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts — tax-advantaged accounts that exist to help ease the burden of qualifying expenses — can't be used to cover medical expenses for aging parents unless they qualify as tax dependents. In other words, if you're helping Mom manage her prescriptions or pay for doctor visits, you probably can't use your HSA funds unless you can claim her as a dependent on your tax return. The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), is a sensible fix. It would remove this restriction and allow Americans to use their HSA and FSA dollars to cover medical expenses for aging parents, regardless of dependent status. By doing so, this would empower family caregivers, granting them access to existing financial resources in order to help provide the best care possible for their aging parents. Importantly, the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act offers more flexibility and real financial relief to millions of family caregivers, all without the creation of new, costly government programs. And it shows that bipartisan agreement is still possible. It is encouraging to see lawmakers from both sides of the aisle coming together to support family caregivers. Further, it serves as a reminder that real solutions to real problems shouldn't be partisan, they should be practical. This kind of reform — modest in scope but meaningful in impact — should be a model for future caregiving policy. Rather than creating a new one-size-fits-all program from the top down, policymakers should focus on unlocking existing systems to better serve caregivers and seniors. Family caregivers already do so much. The least we can do is make it easier for them by eliminating unnecessary obstacles and improving the system so that it works for them, not against them. Let's support them by championing solutions that are bipartisan, budget-neutral and grounded in reality. Let's do right by caregivers — and do it the right way. Heather Madden is policy staff director at Independent Women's Voice.
