SEMO Alliance For Disability Independence, Inc. (SADI), an independent living center funded by the Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, recently opened an office in at 1020 N. Kingshighway, Suite C, in Cape Girardeau.

SADI, which offers services of independent living skills training, has been active in the area since 1987, offering ADA assistance, promoting disability awareness and peer counseling in six counties -- Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, Scott, New Madrid and Mississippi.

There are currently seven independent living centers in Missouri. Cape Girardeau and Kirksville were the latest areas to be funded for the services.

Independent living centers are not group homes. They are a social service organizations to help persons will disabilities to be able to live independently in their own environment. The staff and board members are made up of 51 percent of people with disabilities.

Maryann "Miki" Gudermuth is the executive director of the Cape Girardeau center. Alice Koerber is independent living specialist and Tania Harper is administrative assitant.

SADI is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday ;through Friday. A grand opening of the new facility will be held in March.

Additional information is available by calling 651-6464.