The Viscardi Center

at The Viscardi Center

Providing a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities.
An employer membership organization and comprehensive resource for disability employment best practices.

DONATE

Header Links

  • Login
  • Media Room
  • Contact Us

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Abilities, Inc.
    • E-Learning
    • Henry Viscardi School
    • The Disability Entrepreneurship Institute
    • Nathaniel H. Kornreich Technology Center
    • Services by Type
    • Services by Age/Audience
    • Services for Businesses
    • How to Obtain Services
  • Our Stories
    • Adults
    • Businesses
    • Children
    • Donors
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Together We Soar Campaign
    • Advocacy
    • Volunteer
    • Share Your Story
    • Viscardi Alumni
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Media Room
    • Viscardi Voice Newsletter
  • Digital Accessibility
    • Document Accessibility
    • Web Accessibility
    • Captioning & CART Services
    • Audio Description
    • ADA Bundle
    • Viscardi Multimedia Learning Center
  • About
    • History
    • Staff Leadership and Boards of Directors
    • Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
    • Sunny
    • FAQs
    • Careers
    • Financials
    • Contact Us
www.viscardicenter.org > News & Events > News > Former Site of Abilities, Inc. Receives Historical Marker

Former Site of Abilities, Inc. Receives Historical Marker

October 24, 2016 by Mike Caprara

  • A A A
October 24, 2016

 

Abilities, Inc. Original Building

The Town of Hempstead unveiled a ‘History Happens Here’ marker in remembrance of the original site of Abilities, Inc., now part of The Viscardi Center, founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., which provided groundbreaking work opportunities for people with disabilities when it first opened its doors 64 years ago.

The Viscardi Center President and CEO, John D. Kemp, was joined by Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino, Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad, and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin at 59 Hempstead Gardens Drive in West Hempstead, where Abilities, Inc. operated from 1952 to 1957, before moving to its current location in Albertson.

“It wasn’t that long ago that people with disabilities were discriminated against in schools, at the workplace, and in other segments of society,” Supervisor Santino said. “But in 1952, the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. opened Abilities, Inc. right here in West Hempstead. The organization provided people with physical challenges with jobs, education, and a sense of pride. It became one of the first American businesses to be staffed almost entirely by people with disabilities.”

Abilities, Inc. emerged during a time when people disabilities—including wounded veterans—were often met with hesitance and opposition from employers while searching for work. Dr. Viscardi, who himself wore prosthetic legs, sought to give the disability community purpose through full-time employment and a steady paycheck.

“64 years ago, this site became a model for the world when Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. founded and operated one of the first U.S. businesses to be staffed primarily by people with disabilities,” John D. Kemp said. “Dr. Viscardi demonstrated that disabled veterans from World War II and the Korean War had the skills and abilities to be successful, productive employees.”

The organization started as a shop where people with disabilities could work as subcontractors for major companies, including Grumman Aircraft, General Electric, IBM, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Today, as part of The Viscardi Center, it continues to offer an array of work readiness, job placement, and school-to-work transition programs and services.

“Working out of a garage in West Hempstead, Dr. Viscardi transformed the lives of people with disabilities throughout America,” Supervisor Santino said, concluding the ceremony. “History happened right here, and the unveiling of this historical marker will serve to educate future generations about this noble enterprise.”

About The Viscardi Center
Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center educates, employs and empowers children and adults with disabilities. It provides Kindergarten through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement, assistive technology, adapted driver education and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents and adults with disabilities, and businesses.

Filed Under: News

News & Events

  • News

    >

  • Blog

    >

  • Events

    >

  • Media Room

    >

  • Viscardi Voice Newsletter

    >

Explore News

Events

Hands over a keyboard

Webinar on Digital Accessibility Fundamentals

[php snippet=2]

NY Islanders defensemen Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock and actor Kevin James standing behind Viscardi CEO Dr. Chris Rosa and two Henry Viscardi School male students

Celebrity Sports Night

[php snippet=2]

View All Events

Recent News

View All >
  • Get Your Wheels on Fire Socks Today!

    March 21, 2023 The Viscardi Center is partnering with John’s Crazy Socks’ to bring you our latest Wheels on Fire Socks. Purchase your pair today! Read More...
  • The Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Advocate

    March 4, 2023 Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, releases a statement on the passing of disability rights advocate Judy Heumann. Read More...
  • 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards Bestowed

    December 2, 2022 The Viscardi Center, a renowned non-profit organization that educates, employs, and empowers people with disabilities, announced six distinguished recipients of the 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. Read More...
  • Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Receives Rave Reviews!

    November 29, 2022 The Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Luncheon which featured a performance by Chilina Kennedy, the longest-running "Carole" in the history of Broadway’s Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, was a smashing success. Read More...
  • Viscardi Announces John J. Gutleber Aquatic Center

    September 2, 2022 The newly renovated facility will provide an accessible range of aquatic exercise and therapies for students with disabilities. Read More...
  • Announcing Roy Danis as Board Chair

    July 19, 2022 Roy Danis, President & CEO of Conecuh Brands, assumed the role of Chair of The Viscardi Center Board of Directors on July 1, 2022 Read More...

Contact Us

The Viscardi Center
National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center
201 I.U. Willets Road
Albertson, NY 11507
516.465.1400
info@viscardicenter.org
Careers at the Viscardi Center | Staff Log in
Accessibility | Privacy | Site Map

Sign up For Enews

The Viscardi Center is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit recognized by the IRS.

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram

© 2023 The Viscardi Center. All rights reserved. | Designed & Developed by Infinite Media Corp.