October marks the start of Disability Awareness Month, a celebration of inclusion and accomplishments attributed to individuals with disabilities. 

At Georgia Southern University, Disability Awareness Month means raising awareness and highlighting resources available to students with disabilities on campus. As part of their effort to spread positivity for students with disabilities, the Students Accessibility Resource Center hosted the first-ever Chalk the Walk event on Oct. 15 at the Student Union.

Kelly Dolata, director of the Student Accessibility Resource Center, explained how Chalk the Walk aims to inspire students with disabilities through encouraging and colorful messages that can be seen on the campus sidewalk.

“I hope that they see these positive messages and can see that other students are supporting them, and see that disability is being talked about on campus,” said Dolata regarding her expectations for events like Chalk the Walk as a way of bringing assurance to the disabled community.

Many students stopped on their way to classes to grab a stick of chalk and draw flowers, smiley faces or write a kind message such as “keep going, don’t stop,” or “you can do anything you put your mind to.” Through sidewalk art, students were given the opportunity to use creative expression to display their support for their peers with disabilities and the Georgia Southern community.

Along with Chalk the Walk, SARC is hosting four events throughout October to raise awareness. Upcoming events include the SARC Resource Fair on Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Union and SARC Movie Night on Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Ogeechee Theater.