National Organization on Disability 1997 Corporate Citizenship Award Presented to JCPenney

    NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- JCPenney received the 1997 Corporate
 Citizenship Award from the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) today
 at the Merrill Lynch World Headquarters in New York City.  Christopher Reeve,
 Vice Chairman of the National Organization on Disability praised JCPenney at
 the ceremony.
     In presenting the award, Alan A. Reich, President of N.O.D. recognized
 JCPenney for its commitment to people with disabilities.  He noted that
 JCPenney stores nationwide not only meet the requirements of the Americans
 with Disabilities Act, but in many cases exceed them.  The company actively
 recruits and hires people with disabilities at all levels.
     JCPenney provides ongoing training for its employees to ensure that
 customers with disabilities receive the accommodation and assistance they
 need.  The company publishes a special needs catalogue and features people
 with disabilities in national advertising campaigns.  Moreover, the company
 encourages all employees to volunteer.  "The National Organization on
 Disability -- on behalf of 49 million Americans with disabilities -- proudly
 presents the 1997 Corporate Citizenship Award to one of America's foremost
 corporate citizens -- The JCPenney Company," said Mr. Reich.
     Mr. James Oesterreicher, Chairman and CEO of JCPenney received the award
 on behalf of the company.  "JCPenney is very proud to be associated with the
 National Organization on Disability and to do what we can, as a company, to
 promote their mission," said Mr. Oesterreicher.
     "My N.O.D. colleagues and I are grateful for the support and commitment of
 corporate America that is enabling so many people with disabilities to lead
 full and productive lives.  We are proud that JCPenney is setting the pace for
 our N.0.D. CEO Council of over 20O companies and for the nation's entire
 corporate community," said Mr. Reeve.
     "JCPenney embraces our N.O.D. philosophy that it is ability, not
 disability that counts in a job -- and in life," stated Michael R. Deland,
 Chairman of the National Organization on Disability at the award luncheon.
 "JCPenney has recognized that people with disabilities -- our nation's largest
 minority -- are potential customers and employees.  As a company, JCPenney has
 benefited from this healthy attitude and is a model for other companies,"
 stated Mr. Deland.
     Former President George Bush, who is N.0.D. Honorary Chairman, wrote to
 Mr. Oesterreicher congratulating JCPenney on winning this N.O.D. award.  In
 his letter, read at the ceremony, he stated, "It is essential that our
 nation's top business leaders signal their personal concern for opening
 opportunities for employees and customers with disabilities."
     The National Organization on Disability, headquartered in Washington, DC,
 promotes the acceptance and full participation of America's 49 million men,
 women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.  Founded in 1982,
 N.O.D. is the only nationwide network organization that is concerned with all
 disabilities, all age groups and all disability issues.  N.O.D. involves
 people with and without disabilities in carrying out its programs.  N.O.D. is
 supported entirely by private contributions from individuals, companies and
 foundations and accepts no government funding.
 
 

SOURCE  National Organization on Disability