Today a clueless woman thoughtlessly (I’m trying to be charitable) told her misbehaving child to stop “being retarded” like my friend Jane’s son. Will was born prematurely and has numerous developmental challenges that he and his mom have been working steadily to overcome. Callous use of hurtful terms do not help raise society’s awareness of the challenges Will and millions of other kids face daily. They lower the level of discourse and leave a stain of ignorance on those who use them.

I hope you’ll join me—and many others around the world—in signing the pledge below to raise awareness of developmental disabilities and help work toward positive solutions to them.