HURRI-CANE/CRUTCH
September 4, 2001 1:01pm Source: PR Newswire
Finalists Named in First Annual Accessibility Awards;
Winners to be Honored Sept. 28 at Hyatt Regency Dinner Program By ESD and
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Michigan Chapter
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sep 4, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The nine finalists in
the first annual da Vinci Accessibility Awards developed by ESD The Engineering
Society (ESD) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Michigan
Chapter, Inc. were announced today.
Finalists were selected from nominations in five categories. Winners will be
honored Sept. 28 at a program called Dinner with da Vinci at the Hyatt Regency
in Dearborn.
The nine 2001 finalists by category are:
* Assistive Technology: IBM Home Page Reader
* Facilities: Donald and Susan Miles Home.
* Information Technology: iCan.Com.
* Materials: Cool Things Fabric.
* Personal Mobility: Amigo Excite, Hurri-Cane Crutch, and Michigan State
University's Shaw Lane
Crossings.
* Vehicular Mobility: GM Mobility Center, and Saturn Corporation Three-
door-coupe
Winners will be announced Sept. 7.
ESD and NMSS joined forces in this venture to increase awareness and
understanding of the challenges facing people regardless of their physical
ability.
The program was named after da Vinci because of his efforts to broaden
humanity's horizons, which changed the way people, saw the world. The da Vinci
awards are designed to honor the individuals and companies continuing his work
through accessibility design innovations that have improved accessibility and
empowered people, regardless of their physical ability and to showcase these
efforts.
Proceeds from Dinner with da Vinci will support the efforts of ESD and the NMSS
to ensure an accessible environment for all individuals regardless of their
physical ability through education services and research.
"In a very real sense, the da Vinci Accessibility Awards will honor the men and
women who continue da Vinci's work. Through their efforts in innovation and
accessibility design, they continue to broaden our horizons to help all of us,
regardless of physical ability -- see and experience the world around us in
exciting new ways," said G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., General Motors President and
CEO, Chairman of the Leadership Committee for the program. A Steering Committee
of volunteers from both ESD and the MS Society has spearheaded the program under
the Leadership Committee.
The first annual Dinner with da Vinci and awards program is sponsored by General
Motors. The collaborative venture of two seemingly unrelated non- profit
organizations is a unique partnership to bring awareness to the general public
of the challenges individuals with physical disabilities face in their daily
lives.
SOURCE: ESD The Engineering Society
CONTACT: Lee Sechler of ESD The Engineering Society, +1-248-355-2910
URL: HTTP://WWW.ESD.ORG
