
By: Crispin Havener
chavener@cbs4qc.com
A local college student is trying to change the way people think about a certain word.
Emilee Steinbach is a junior at Saint Ambrose University. She's launching "Spread the Word to End the Word" on campus.
The goal of the national program is to change the way people refer to the mentally disabled and take the "R" word out of people's vocabulary. She's asking her peers to sign a pledge saying they won't use the word any more.
Steinbach says it's a cause that hits close to home.
"I have a younger brother with a disability and I also am an early childhood education major," Steinbach said. "Just working a lot with those students with those disabilities, I know how hurtful the word is to the students themselves and to their families."
If you want to take the pledge, click here.