Hy-Vee Honored for Assisting Disabled Drivers

Hy-Vee was recently honored as the first winner of the Corporate Excellence in Accessibility Award, which was presented July 23 at a celebration marking the 21st year since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Iowa City, Iowa, nonprofit organization Access 2 Independence and the Johnson County ADA selected West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee because of its installation of the FuelCall system in 91 Hy-Vee stores across seven states. FuelCall is a system that allows drivers with limited mobility to alert gas station attendants that they require assistance at the fuel pump.

“We’ve been very pleased with the customer response to FuelCall," said Jeff Osborn, Hy-Vee’s assistant VP, convenience stores, who accepted the award. “Customers have told us that without FuelCall, they would have to take a friend or relative with them to pump gas, honk the horn and flash their headlights to get the attention of station attendants, or prevail upon other motorists for help. FuelCall not only saves time and frustration, it [also] helps preserve the dignity and independence of drivers with physical disabilities.”

The Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee was the first store in Iowa to install FuelCall after its store director Willy Amos, who uses a wheelchair, discovered the system. Other Hy-Vee store directors quickly followed his lead.

“We're adding them to most new convenience stores we build,” noted Osborn. “Hy-Vee's mission is to make lives easier, healthier and happier. FuelCall does that, and that's why we're proud to offer this system in our convenience stores.”

Hy-Vee currently operates more than 232 stores across eight states.