The Office of Disabilities held their fundraiser called “The Great Cupcake Challenge” in the Student Union Mall on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

The challenge was held to raise awareness on the various types of disabilities that students at Southeastern and other universities have to learn to cope with.

Students who do not have disabilities participated by drawing an index card, which listed a disability. After choosing their cards, players would then have to tackle decorating a cupcake with the limitations they drew.

“That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said freshman communication major Greg Crovetto. Crovetto’s drawn disability was blindness. He was blind folded and instructed to decorate his cupcake without the use of his eyes. He struggled at keeping track of where the top of his cupcake was located, but he eventually got the hang of it and completed his cupcake. One other example of a possible limitation was a stroke that limited arm movement. The participant would use weights to limit arm motion for decorating the cupcake.

“The cupcake challenge is an educational simulation that allows individuals who do not have disabilities to see what it is like to have a disability,” said Kay Maurin, director of the office of disabilities. Each participant that decorated a cupcake was also given a bookmark with fact regarding disabilities.

The participation for the event went very well.

“People were very enthusiastic about participating,” said Maurin. “We had several faculty members and staff members participate. Lots of students participated too.”

This was the first time the cupcake challenge was held, but Southeastern can look forward to seeing it again.

“This is the first time we’ve ever done this event but I could definitely see us continuing it in future Disability Awareness Week programming,” said Maurin.

The challenge was one of the many events and activities held during Disability Awareness Week here on campus. Other events included inspirational speaker Trisha Downing, an expo to get various on campus organizations involved and informed on disabilities and the new member induction ceremony for Delta Alpha Pi.