Fair tries to widen awareness of disabilities

The brochures were colorful, a ploy to grab people's attention. Many of the backdrops had photographs, another method of drawing passers-by in.

It worked on some, but many kept walking without paying much attention to the seven booths advertising information on disabilities at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park's center court Saturday.

"People want to shove it in the background if they're lucky enough not to be affected by a disability," said Sherry Hester, a volunteer with the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "I used to be that way, too."

Hester's perspective changed about a year ago, after losing her husband to cancer. The experience prompted the Chaffee, Mo., woman to volunteer with the MS society.

On Saturday, she joined representatives from several local organizations trying to spread the word about a variety of disabilities at the 2004 Disability Resource Fair.

Miki Gudermuth with SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence Inc., the group that organized this year's fair, said the event has several purposes.

"It's a misnomer that this fair is directed only to those with disabilities," Gudermuth said. "It's education for the nondisabled community, too."

Among the organizations represented Saturday were Special Olympics, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Missouri Community Advocacy Network, People First, Sikeston Regional Center and Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance.

"Today we're trying to reach people who normally wouldn't interact with our organization. It's a reality check for some of them," said Tracy DePriest, who represented MOCAN and other related organizations.

DePriest also brought informational brochures about services available to the disabled.

"We try to remind them that they're still people, not children, no matter what their disability is," DePriest said.

At the Special Olympics booth, a photo album displayed pictures from Special Olympics events.

Wanda Blattel of Chaffee, whose son is involved in Special Olympics, was one of several people who stopped to look at the photographs.

"So many people have heard of these things, but don't know who to get in contact with for more information," Blattel said. "I think this a great way for people to get more information."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128