United defender Steve Birnbaum joined Special Olympics DC on a visit to Bunker Hill Elementary School in Northeast D.C. where students took part in a pep rally that encouraged youth to end the use of the R-word. The pep rally was held in support of the annual “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign.
During his visit, Birnbaum read to students and encouraged them to create a more accepting attitude and community for all people.
Spread The Word, To End The Word! Thank you @dcunited and @StevenBirnbaum for coming out and reading to our young athletes pic.twitter.com/qDugJVbbnt
— Special Olympics DC (@SpecOlympics_DC) March 1, 2017
Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics and other supporting organizations to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with intellectual disabilities.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For more information on D.C. United’s community programs and events, visit dcunited.com/community, or follow on Twitter at @DCU_CR.
