Brewer High School students pledge to not use ‘R-word’ to refer to intellectually disabled

Posted March 06, 2013, at 1:05 p.m.

Brewer student Zac Burnham, 18, tapes an &quotR-word" pledge to a wall in the school's cafeteria. Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Brewer student Zac Burnham, 18, tapes an "R-word" pledge to a wall in the school's cafeteria. Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. Buy Photo

Zac Burnham (left), 18, and Nicole Turner, 17, help Brewer students make a pledge during their lunch period to stop using the &quotR-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Zac Burnham (left), 18, and Nicole Turner, 17, help Brewer students make a pledge during their lunch period to stop using the "R-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. Buy Photo

Justin Pagan (center), 16, signs a pledge to stop using the &quotR-word" during his lunch period at Brewer High School. Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Justin Pagan (center), 16, signs a pledge to stop using the "R-word" during his lunch period at Brewer High School. Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. Buy Photo

Brewer students make a pledge during their lunch hour to stop using the &quotR-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brewer students make a pledge during their lunch hour to stop using the "R-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. Buy Photo

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brewer students Michael Grimble (left), 16, and Gehrig White, 17 make a pledge during their lunch hour to stop using the &quotR-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brewer students Michael Grimble (left), 16, and Gehrig White, 17 make a pledge during their lunch hour to stop using the "R-word." Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. Buy Photo

Brewer students make a pledge during their lunch hour to stop using the “R-word.” Brewer High School is sponsoring a campaign to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability.