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., Sept. 4 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.

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