Community Efforts Rewarded; National Organization on Disability Announces Cash Awards for Local Action

    WASHINGTON, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Organization on Disability
 (N.O.D.) announced today that seven cities and three counties are the
 recipients of cash prizes in the 1999 $30,000 National Organization on
 Disability/United Parcel Service (UPS) Community Awards Competition.  The
 competition recognizes outstanding local programs and actions that expand the
 participation of citizens with disabilities in the life of the community.
     The winners are Russellville, Arkansas; Columbia, Missouri; Somerville,
 Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; The 39 Cities and Towns of Rhode
 Island; Corning, New York; Hibbing, Minnesota; St. Mary Parish, Louisiana;
 Orange County, North Carolina; and Atlantic County, New Jersey.  Exceeding the
 requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Russellville,
 Arkansas was named the $10,000 Grand Prize winner.  Russellville won for the
 positive way the city came together to implement the ADA.  The comprehensive
 program includes advising local government, businesses and educational
 institutions, educating the community about disability issues, and involving
 people with all disabilities.  With virtually no funding, Russellville was
 transformed from a city with severe non-compliance of the ADA to a city with
 widespread compliance.  According to River Valley Accessibility Council
 Chairman of the Board, Sydney Case, the transformation occurred because of
 "people who are not afraid to dream, and then back those dreams up with their
 own blood, sweat, and tears."  Another winner, Hibbing, Minnesota won for a
 modular ramp project that enables people who have newly acquired or temporary
 disabilities to continue to live in their own homes.
     The Community Partnership Program of N.O.D. promotes implementation of
 outstanding local disability programs through its nationwide network of 4,500
 towns, cities and counties.  Founded in 1982 as an outgrowth of the 1981
 International Year of Disabled Persons,  N.O.D. is supported entirely by the
 private sector through contributions from corporations, foundations and
 individuals.  Its mission is to promote the full and equal participation of
 America's 54 million men, women and children with physical, sensory or mental
 disabilities in all aspects of life.
     The N.O.D./UPS Community Awards Competition is made possible by the
 generous support of UPS and The UPS Foundation.  Jim Kelly, Chairman and CEO
 of UPS stated, "N.O.D. continually strives for full participation of people
 with disabilities in our society.  UPS, which provides delivery service to
 every community in the United States, is pleased to once again support N.O.D.
 and applauds our nation's communities that are improving the quality of life
 for people with disabilities."
     N.O.D. President Alan A. Reich stated, "Since it is in the communities of
 America where 54 million of us with disabilities go about our lives, that's
 where action must take place.  We're proud of these winning communities for
 setting the pace."
 
 

SOURCE  National Organization on Disability