Former NFL player Dale Moss, center, with Special Olympics athletes Madi Madory, left, and Joshua Olds wearing sweatshirts that are part of the new “Yeah, I am Special” campaign. (Special Olympics)
by Michelle Diament | disability scoop
With a new campaign, Special Olympics wants to take back the word “special” and other language that they say has been turned against people with disabilities.
The international sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities is rolling out the effort dubbed “Yeah, I am Special” with a pair of New York City billboards and a video voiced by ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith.
The group is also touting appearances by high-profile supporters like Milwaukee Bucks player Damian Lillard and former NFL player Dale Moss wearing apparel that says “special.”
This is all a precursor to a global digital campaign planned for next year, Special Olympics said, to address the stigma that’s associated with the word “special” and other similar language used around the world to demean people with disabilities.
