Project Unify is in its first year at Polk County Middle School (PCMS) and a group made entirely of student volunteers plan and carry out all activities.
During the month of March students in the group at PCMS have been learning about Project Unify.
Project Unify’s vision is to promote school
communities where all students are agents of change – fostering acceptance, respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.
Project Unify member Nathan Bradley, a 7th grader at PCMS said, “I enjoy Project Unify because I get to help other students who might need a friend. I think we need to end using the “r-word” because it can hurt people. As a student it is important to spread the word to end the word to others.”
March 5th was the annual day of awareness about the hurtfulness of the “r-word. “  Students were encouraged to take a pledge to stop using the word “retard” or “retarded” and replace it with respectful language.  6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at PCMS signed a banner pledging to “spread the word to end the word.” At the end of the month students will have the opportunity to attend a dance that is being sponsored by Project Unify.
Stacey Shields, who works with students with intellectual disabilities at the middle school, said that he was thrilled with the number of students who signed the pledge.  He further said, “Many of the students admitted to having used the word “retard,” but they didn’t realize how offensive it was.  They understood what they were signing, and they knew that it would take some effort to change their habits, and they were willing to try.”

– article submitted
by Denise Kennedy