MORIARTY PRAISES EFFORTS LEADING TO NEW CENTER

Missouri Secretary of State Judith K. Moriarty praised the efforts of area citizens Tuesday that led to the opening of a new Independent Living Center by the SEMO Alliance for Disability, Inc.

"This new Independent Living Center will assure that Southeast Missouri citizens with special needs will learn the necessary skills to compete not only in satisfying life styles but in the world of work," said Moriarty.

"I believe that if all of us can cooperate in endeavors like this that our society as a whole will benefit."

Moriarty helped cut the ribbon and then provided the dedication address at grand opening ceremonies of the facility at 1020 North Kingshighway.

The center is one of seven in the state and serves the counties of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid.

Miki Gudermuth, executive director of the center, worked with a board of directors to get the facility opened.

Gudermuth explained that the center offers a variety of services that teach "living skills" most people take for granted. A variety of specialized equipment is included in the center for those with motor skill disabilities. After certain kinds of injuries, it is necessary for people to adapt to new ways of doing daily functions like laundry, driving, and cooking.

Thomas M. Meyer, a member of the board of directors of the alliance, pointed out that the new center will provide a specialized living/training environment where these adaptive skills can be learned.

Gudermuth added, "This facility can offer all people with disabilities an opportunity for skills training, while also providing advocacy, information and referral services, as well as peer counseling.

"This is a great day for us because we have worked seven or eight years for this," she said.

In her speech, Moriarty noted that the first Center for Independent Living was established in Fisherville, Va. and later in Santa Barbara, Calif. Now there are hundreds around the country.

"I have the greatest personal admiration for those very special people who have overcome significant odds in their desire to be productive, even though the road is difficult," said Moriarty. "I can think of no better objective, as a community, than to be certain that we have created an environment where all citizens can equally share their very special talents with the community as a whole."

Moriarty said she has a special interest in helping people with disabilities because she has a 5-year-old grandson who is nearly deaf. She explained how the family was making a special effort to have the child ready to enter the first grade on time.

"This experience has certainly opened my eyes on the need to start early on helping people with disabilities adapt as much as possible," she said.

Working together to make the community more aware of the adaptability and value of the disabled is an important task, Moriarty stressed, and urged the crowd of about 60 people to work together.

Said Moriarty, "We must rededicate ourselves to bridging the accessibility gap, and in so doing we must recognize that accessibility is not entirely dependent upon bricks and mortar. Neither is it entirely dependent on curb cuts and ramps, but rather accessibility is primarily dependent on mind-sets and values. It is primarily dependent on love, understanding and vision."

In her role as secretary of state, Moriarty said she has taken steps to make her office more accessible to the disabled and meet new federal guidelines for accessibility.

For example, she pointed out that her office is responsible for the Wolfner Library, which serves those who are visually handicapped and those who have physical limitations that make it difficult for them to hold a book.

So far the library is serving nearly 14,000 Missouri citizens, but there are more than 70,000 blind or nearly blind people in Missouri. Moriarty pledged her office would work to reach those people not using the service.

Senate Bill 635, which is being debated this session in the General Assembly and promoted by her office, would enhance the opportunities to fund technology in the Wolfner Library and in other services of the secretary of state.

Also, Moriarty said her efforts to have post card voter registration will also make it easier for disabled people to register.

Other independent living centers in Missouri are located at St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield, Viburnum and Kirksville.

Funding comes from the Missouri Department of Education, the federal government and from tax deductible contributions.