KUEHLE LAUDS ADA PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

People's reactions to disabilities were very different in 1952, when a high school football injury landed Harold Kuehle in a wheelchair.

"Back in those days people did not know how to spell accessibility, much less know what it was about," he said Saturday night in his keynote speech at the fourth Annual Barrier Freedom Awards Banquet.

The banquet attended by about 75 people at the Drury Lodge was sponsored by the SEMO Alliance of Disability Independence.

Kuehle recalled that Southwestern Bell hooked up a telephone line between his hospital and the high school so he could finish school. He attended the University of Illinois, a very accessible school, and then had a very different experience at Southeast, where his fraternity brothers had to carry him up the steps at Academic Hall.

He graduated from the university in 1961 with a degree in business administration. He went on to serve as the Cape Girardeau County collector for 32 years before retiring in 1999. Long active in Republican Party politics, Kuehle lost a race for Missouri secretary of state in 1972.

He is the former chairman of the Governor's Council on Employment of People with Disabilities under Gov. John Ashcroft.

Kuehle lauded the changes brought by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We found out that things weren't going to happen until we passed the law to make them happen," he said.

"... We've come a long way and still got a way to go."

Kuehle said he didn't know if he'd be able to speak at the banquet because at the time he was asked he was undergoing chemotherapy for an illness. But he is not undergoing the therapy currently.

Dr. Karen Myers, vice president of the SADI Board of Directors, pointed out that the ADA is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. "It has given us the opportunity to be included, to be equal," she said.

SADI's Barrier Freedom Awards were distributed at the end of the evening. The presentations were made by Dr. Kerry Wynn, SADI board president, and Miki Gudermuth, the organization's executive director.

The winners were:

* State Rep. Patrick Naeger of Perryville, who was cited for championing the cause of improving conditions in the VIP sheltered workshop in Perryville. State Reps. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau and David Schwab of Jackson made the presentation to Naeger.

* Schnucks, cited for its efforts on behalf of accessibility and commitment to hiring people with disabilities. The award was accepted by Steve Meadows, the store's customer representative.

* Elaine Ertman, a reporter for the Cash Book Journal in Jackson, received the media award.

* The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri was singled out for community service for its Arts for All program, which provides opportunities to create art for people with disabilities. Daniel North, the Arts Council's executive director, accepted.

* Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Perryville, for taking steps to improve accessibility. Ronald Grimaud, president of the parish council, accepted the award.

* The Jackson Chamber of Commerce for improving access to technology to persons with disabilities and improving access at the Chamber itself. Darrell Aufdenberg, president, accepted the award.

* Emali Graham, a social work student at Southeast, received the humanitarian award for her work on behalf of the SADI auction fund raiser.

Jeanne Seeton, a data entry specialist, received the award as SADI Employee of the Year.