'Keeping People in Motion' UAW-GM Paragon Project

    PONTIAC, Mich., June 5 The growing number of aging
Americans and people with disabilities makes it important to ensure safe
vehicle entry and exit, and provide comfort for those with special needs.
The fastest growing sector of the population is people over 50 and it is
estimated that part of the population will increase 36% in the next 20 years.
Currently, one out of every five Americans has some form of disability.

    Designing vehicles with greater ease of access and mobility is the focus
of a joint pilot project to study vehicle mobility design, initiated by the
International Union, UAW and General Motors.  The Paragon Project is designed
to help mobility engineers identify vehicle requirements for specific age and
disability groups.

    To assess the mobility of selected vehicles, a vehicle testing project
will be held at UAW Local 653 Monday, June 4, continuing through Friday,
June 8.  Testing will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Local 653 is located
at 670 East Walton in Pontiac.  UAW members, retirees, and senior citizens
will test General Motors and other vehicles for accessibility.

    Mobility engineers will add the Paragon Project data questionnaire and
written comments to GM's 750,000 customer base.  The data will be used to
develop the GM Mobility Engineering vehicle selection process, meeting the
needs of consumers, including those with and without disabilities.