SADI RECOGNIZES AREA BUSINESSES

The Southeast Missouri Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI) presented awards to various Cape Girardeau businesses and an individual at its annual Disability Fair Saturday.

JCPenny, Sears, Target, the Southeast Missourian, and Melvin Gately all received awards for their contributions to the disabled community.

JCPenny was given the Retailer Award for demonstrating commitment to making their establishment accessible to all persons with disabilities. They accomplished this with customer service sensitivity training, direct path access to aisles and merchandise as the least restrictive environment, adequate handicapped parking and handicapped accessible restrooms.

Sears was presented with the Community Service Award for providing paint and supplies whenever SADI needed it over the last several years. These supplies helped SADI with its community service programs of building ramps and making accessible housing modifications to the homes of persons with disabilities who live in SADI's five county service area.

Target was given the Employer Award on the basis of its commitment to employment of persons with disabilities through their personnel and hiring practices of recognizing and promoting the talents and ambitions of persons with disabilities. Target has hired persons with disabilities and treated them equally in allowing them to hold meaningful positions as opposed to menial positions.

Melvin Gately was given the Humanitarian Award because of his professional and personal contributions toward community education on the needs and challenges faced by disabled persons over the past eight years. As a member of Vision 2000, he has helped the disabled community acquire handicapped parking in various areas of the city by his involvement with local leaders and merchants.

The Southeast Missourian received the media award because of its ongoing efforts to educate the public on the challenges and achievements of disabled persons. The Southeast Missourian has been unbiased in its representation of the various types of disabilities covered and careful in the language used to portray disabled persons, the group said.