JUNE 26, 2006

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land encourages motorists with disabilities who are making summer travel plans in Michigan to first visit The Pump Guide.

The Pump Guide is an online directory of gas stations statewide that offer travelers with disabilities full service at self-service prices. It is found at www.thepumpguide.com and was created by the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"The Pump Guide is a great resource for anyone with a disability who travels," Land said. "It allows you to map out your trip ahead of time. You can get in your car with the assurance that the service stations with the accommodations you need will be there."

To qualify for refueling assistance, drivers are required to display a state-issued disability license plate or placard.

Land said that travel on Michigan roads typically increases during the summer and holidays such as the upcoming Fourth of July. Joining her in promoting The Pump Guide is Michael Harris, deputy executive director of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The Pump Guide was inspired by Harris, who is a paraplegic and came up with the idea during a 2001 business trip.

"I realized that I'm not the only driver who needs refueling assistance at the gas pumps," Harris said. "This was an opportunity for MPVA to solve a problem for all drivers with permanent or temporary physical challenges and encourage independence."

The Pump Guide's online program allows users to:

• Search for stations by county
• Identify stations near a specific location or by ZIP code
• Plan a trip using driving directions with all of the participating stations along their route

About 800 gas stations statewide participate in The Pump Guide program. In addition to station locations and hours, the guide also lists those stations that include car washes, ATM machines, accessible restrooms and other amenities. MPVA gets its information from an annual mailing to gas stations.

This year nearly 19,000 visitors to date have turned to The Pump Guide for assistance, browsing the site on average for 30 minutes. Land and MPVA first partnered in 2005 when they unveiled The Pump Guide bookmark campaign. The ongoing campaign provides residents who receive a disability license plate or placard with a Pump Guide bookmark printed with the guide's online address. The reverse side of the bookmark carries the Department of State online services Web address.

Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America is celebrating 45 years of service. It is a nonprofit organization providing programs, advocacy and assistance for veterans in Michigan who have spinal cord injuries or diseases.

To learn more about The Pump Guide, visit www.thepumpguide.com.

Information about the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America may be obtained by calling 1-800-638-MPVA (6782) or visiting www.michiganpva.org.

For more information about the Department of State and its online services, please visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.