EASTER SEAL UNIT HONORS SCARLETT SEABAUGH

Scarlett Seabaugh has been a way maker for the disabled in Cape Girardeau, and she was recently awarded the Missouri Easter Seal Society Disability Awareness Award for her efforts.

The Easter Seals recently held its 69th annual awards dinner at the St. Louis Airport Marriot, and Seabaugh was recognized for her work to eliminate barriers in order to provide greater opportunities for people with disabilities in Cape Girardeau.

Seabaugh is a technology coordinator for the SEMO-TECH Center for Assistive Technology, which is a program under the umbrella of the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence in Cape Girardeau.

Chuck Martin, director of the regional Easter Seals Society, said Seabaugh received the honor over nominees from the Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis regional offices. Martin said he had seen Seabaugh in action and decided she was an excellent candidate for the honor.

"Having had a chance to see some of the things Scarlett has done, I truly felt she has made a difference in providing assistive technology to people in our region," said Martin.

Seabaugh said SEMO-TECH keeps devices on hand in the center that will improve independence for disabled people. SEMO-TECH provides information and referrals, public education, and advocacy services for people needing information about or trying to obtain assistive devices, she said. In her nomination Seabaugh was credited with increasing the number of resources available through SEMO-TECH despite a shortage of available funds.

"We receive federal money, which is funneled to this outreach center from the Missouri Assistive Technology Project, but the grant is not enough to maintain an individual center," said Seabaugh, who has worked for SEMO-TECH for one year. "I've approached different groups and asked for funding for certain devices or just for funding to aid our organization."

SEMO-TECH provides low- and high-end technology needed to increase independence in disabled people throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Martin said that through her efforts Seabaugh has been able to acquire a number of devices, including jar openers, braille watches, augmentative communication devices, and even a video conferencing phone.

"She has done an excellent job of increasing the number of resources SEMO-TECH is able to provide," Martin said.