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Dighton-Rehoboth Students & Staff Hoping To Ban Use Of "R" Word

NORTH DIGHTON (CBS) - Hundreds of students and staff at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School have signed a pledge against using the word "retard" or "retarded" in a derogatory context.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports.

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Ashley McMeekin, who helped spearhead the campaign, says the "R" word is offensive to her and her friends who have disabilities.

"I hope no one uses (that word) again," said McMeekin. "I thought it was hurtful."

That's why she is spreading the word to end the word. She and her teacher, Tim Tichacek, organized a rally in school sponsored by the Special Olympics and Best Buddies.

"(It's) a campaign against casual use of the word 'retard' or 'retarded.' When used in a casual sense, it increases the negative connotation that people with disabilities are on a lower level than people without disabilities, and that's just not true," said Tichachek.

More than 680 students and staff have signed the pledge so far.

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