The third annual Aphasia Awareness Walk, hosted by speech-language pathology students in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, is 9 a.m. June 17 on East Campus. Participants are encouraged to wear red.

Participants can register online through June 9. Cost of registration, which includes a T-shirt, is free for anyone with aphasia, $20 for senior citizens, $25 for Nebraska students and $30 for all other participants. Individuals can also register the morning of the walk, which begins in front of the Barkley Memorial Center.

Aphasia is a disorder of understanding and using symbols, most evident in difficulty using or understanding language. Symbols can include words, letters, numbers, signs and more.

Aphasia is caused by damage to the brain, often because of a stroke. The Aphasia Awareness Walk is dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating individuals with aphasia and their families by gathering community support.

All proceeds from Aphasia Awareness Walk benefit the Barkley Speech Language and Hearing Clinic’s Aphasia Community Partners program. The program pairs a person with aphasia with a volunteer who takes the individual out to engage in community activities. It was created in an effort to address the need for improving social engagement for individuals who have aphasia.

For more information about the Aphasia Awareness Walk, click here or call the Barkley Clinic at 402-472-2071.