Discussion of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) has long been swept under the rug across the globe. Best Buddies, partnering with Collective Voice opened up this matter last Wednesday by hosting a forum for discussion of IDDs. The NYUSH student body discussed what it means to either be someone or know someone who has an IDD, and how to create a more supportive environment for people with IDDs within and outside of the NYUSH community. During the meeting, students had the platform to discuss their views about the treatment of individuals with IDDs, ask questions, and respond to their peers. Best Buddies informed the NYUSH student body that the degree of an IDD’s severity falls on a spectrum, and it is inaccurate and inappropriate to group all people with IDD’s as the same. Similarly, individuals with IDD’s have repeatedly been mistreated in society, ignored by peers and likened with children. The Best Buddies forum dispelled misconceptions and shed much-needed light on the importance of respect for people who have IDDs. Additionally, Best Buddies leaders Zoe Jordan, Cha Mi Kim, and Natalie Todd explained the importance of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, which seeks to stop the use of the word “retarded”. Whether referring to an individual with an IDD or using the word “retarded ” as the colloquial meaning of lame, the “R-word” carries strong negative implications and is detrimental toward treating individuals with IDDs with respect. Members of NYUSH pledged to not only eliminate the “R-word” from their own vocabulary, but also to discourage the use of it if heard. Rendering the “R-word” obsolete is an important first step toward acknowledging and respecting those who have IDDs. OCA caught up with one of Best Buddies’ leaders, Zoe Jordan, who offered her insight about the importance of programs like Best Buddies: “What I hope for Best Buddies is that it becomes a community inside NYUSH where people who have IDDs or know someone with an IDD can talk about it and feel respected and equal. It's a prevalent topic in society— so many people at the event had friends and family with intellectual disabilities — but yet, is easy to ignore, because people with IDDs are not included in our community enough to stand up for themselves. That’s what we have to change.” In the following semesters, Best Buddies will be organizing volunteer trips around Shanghai to organizations that provide support for individuals with IDDs. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, Best Buddies is the group to talk to. NYUSH is in its developmental stage as a university, and Best Buddies is helping to establish NYUSH as an informed, respectful, and supportive university for all. Discussion of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) has long been swept under the rug across the globe. Best Buddies, partnering with Collective Voice opened up this matter last Wednesday by hosting a forum for discussion of IDDs. The NYUSH student body discussed what it means to either be someone or know someone who has an IDD, and how to create a more supportive environment for people with IDDs within and outside of the NYUSH community. During the meeting, students had the platform to discuss their views about the treatment of individuals with IDDs, ask questions, and respond to their peers. Best Buddies informed the NYUSH student body that the degree of an IDD’s severity falls on a spectrum, and it is inaccurate and inappropriate to group all people with IDD’s as the same. Similarly, individuals with IDD’s have repeatedly been mistreated in society, ignored by peers and likened with children. The Best Buddies forum dispelled misconceptions and shed much-needed light on the importance of respect for people who have IDDs. Additionally, Best Buddies leaders Zoe Jordan, Cha Mi Kim, and Natalie Todd explained the importance of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, which seeks to stop the use of the word “retarded”. Whether referring to an individual with an IDD or using the word “retarded ” as the colloquial meaning of lame, the “R-word” carries strong negative implications and is detrimental toward treating individuals with IDDs with respect. Members of NYUSH pledged to not only eliminate the “R-word” from their own vocabulary, but also to discourage the use of it if heard. Rendering the “R-word” obsolete is an important first step toward acknowledging and respecting those who have IDDs. OCA caught up with one of Best Buddies’ leaders, Zoe Jordan, who offered her insight about the importance of programs like Best Buddies: “What I hope for Best Buddies is that it becomes a community inside NYUSH where people who have IDDs or know someone with an IDD can talk about it and feel respected and equal. It's a prevalent topic in society— so many people at the event had friends and family with intellectual disabilities — but yet, is easy to ignore, because people with IDDs are not included in our community enough to stand up for themselves. That’s what we have to change.” In the following semesters, Best Buddies will be organizing volunteer trips around Shanghai to organizations that provide support for individuals with IDDs. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, Best Buddies is the group to talk to. NYUSH is in its developmental stage as a university, and Best Buddies is helping to establish NYUSH as an informed, respectful, and supportive university for all.

This article was written by Lizzy LeClaire. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Annie Seaman