ESD The Engineering Society and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Michigan Chapter Call for Entries for 2001 da Vinci Accessibility Awards

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 21 ESD The Engineering Society
(ESD) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Michigan Chapter have
joined together in an annual recognition venture.  This venture, the 2001 da
Vinci Accessibility Awards, will honor individuals and/or corporations in the
engineering, construction, and technical realm for their creative and
innovative design contributions that have benefited individuals with
disabilities.
    Nomination categories include, but are not limited to:

    --  Commercial or Public Facility*
    --  Electronics & Information Technology
    --  Residential Facility*
    --  Personal Mobility
    --  Vehicular Mobility
    * Facility projects must be completed at the time of entry.

    Companies may self nominate.  End-users of products, facilities and/or
services are encouraged to seek nomination support from their area society or
agency.  They may also suggest nomination to the manufacturer or the developer
of the product or facility.  Nominations may apply to more than one category.
Achievements should exceed any legally mandated requirements, such as those
expressed in the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Telecommunications act
of 1996.  All entries must be received by Friday, June 15, 2001 at 5 p.m.
Entries must be submitted to:

    ESD The Engineering Society
    da Vinci Accessibility Awards
    26100 American Drive, Suite 500
    Southfield, MI  48034

    Entries may also be submitted on-line at http://www.esd.org .  Winners will be
announced from the finalists during the "Dinner with da Vinci" Accessibility
Awards Ceremony to be held September 28, 2001 at the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn,
MI.
    The 2001 da Vinci Accessibility Awards event is sponsored by the General
Motors Corporation.  G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., president and CEO of General
Motors Corporation will serve as chairman of the event's Leadership Committee.
For more information, please contact Lori Birman at ESD The Engineering
Society at 248-355-2910, ext. 118 or loribirman@esd.org .
    Founded in 1895, as the Association of Graduate Engineers of the
University of Michigan, ESD has evolved into the nation's largest multi-
disciplinary engineering & scientific society of its kind.  With more than
6,000 members throughout the Great Lakes Region, ESD unites engineers,
scientists, architects and those in related technical fields.  The Society's
programs and services are dedicated to the enhancement of professional
development, the advancement of technology and the promotion of the
engineering and scientific professions, thereby enabling positive
contributions to society.  For membership information or program registration
visit the ESD website at http://www.esd.org or call 800-659-2559.
    Founded in 1948, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter
serves more than 22,000 members, including over 15,000 people with MS and
their families across the state.  The mission of the National MS Society is to
end the devastating effects of MS and is carried out everyday through the more
than 100 programs and services provided to those living with MS.
Additionally, more than 300 research projects worldwide are funded by the NMSS
in pursuit of the cure.  Outpatient clinics, educational, counseling and
exercise programs are just a few of the ways the Michigan Chapter of the
National MS Society brings hope to the MS community.  Research and these local
programs are funded in part, by the efforts of over 10,000 event participants
and 3,000 volunteers in Michigan who support the fight against MS year round.
Call 800-243-5767 for more information on programs or events or visit NMSS on-
line at http://www.nmssmi.org