The SMU Best Buddies chapter joined with members of the Dallas community, participating in the March for Respect on Saturday, embarking on a one and a half-mile walk through downtown Dallas to voice support for Texans with developmental disabilities. (TY WILLIAMS/The Daily Campus)

Thousands turned out for the ninth annual March for Respect in Downtown Dallas Saturday.

The march, which was put on by the Developmental Disabilities Network of North Texas, is a one and a half-mile walk through downtown Dallas. The walk is designed to show Texans with disabilities that they are not alone while bringing awareness of people with developmental disabilities.

The walk ends at a stage where participants can perform skills such as singing or simply share what the event means to them.

“Hanging out by the stage is really special,” Brooks Igo, the SMU chapter president of Best Buddies, said. “Different people will come up and show off their talents and encourage people to not get stuck looking at their disabilities, but begin to look at their abilities and their passion.”

Best Buddy chapters from most Dallas area schools and members of the Dallas community came out to participate in the event.

“It brings the community together to celebrate a population that is often overlooked and underestimated,” Igo said. “It was great to see all the organizations and schools from around the area get excited about the march and what it stands for.”