The Student Council for Exceptional Children will host Speak Up, a rally that promotes disability awareness, March 31.
The rally is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tech’s campus at Memorial Gym.
According to Katherine Cox, president of SCEC, the purpose of this rally is to raise money for disability awareness, as well as raising awareness about how discriminating words affect people.
“I just hope people listen to what our speakers have to say and how their words can affect people,” Cox said. “Sometimes you don’t know about people around you, so you never know who can be offended.”
At the event there will be many guest speakers, including Darius Weems, star of the documentary “Darius Goes West.” The documentary is about Weems, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
In 2005, he traveled throughout the U.S. to promote awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and to raise money for finding a cure.
“We wanted a speaker that could relate to what our event is all about,” Cox said. “We couldn’t think of a better person to come speak on behalf of people with disabilities than Darius Weems.”
According to Cox, in addition to the guest speakers, there will be children’s activities, food, door prizes and a silent auction.
“It will be a fun, laidback atmosphere, but it will be for a great cause,” Cox said.
All of the proceeds go towards Pacesetters, a not for profit organization that provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, and the Independence Program at Tech.
For more information, contact Cox at speakuprally@gmail.com.
