Our History

The Viscardi Center was founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., a premiere advocate for people with disabilities who himself wore prosthetic legs and served as an advisor to eight U.S. presidents. Dr. Viscardi sought to ignite inclusion in his community through meaningful employment access. The organization broke new ground as one of the first in the world staffed primarily by people with disabilities and wounded veterans.

Prior to the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975, education options were limited for children with severe physical disabilities—many of whom received instruction at home or in a hospital—and their families. Dr. Viscardi established a traditional school for students with disabilities, providing a high-quality education in combination with vital therapies, medical supports, and assistive technology.

Services expanded to include vocational and work readiness training and job placement for adults with disabilities. Participants wishing to enter or re-enter a competitive workforce could receive mentorship and skill building services to guide them towards fulfilling, long-term employment in a range of industries.

Following the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, The Viscardi Center began consulting businesses on disability best practices and took on a prominent role as a national resource for the successful integration of people with disabilities into the workforce and consumer marketplace.

The Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards were launched to recognize exemplary leaders in the international disability community who honor Dr. Viscardi’s vision and legacy through their incredible professional accomplishments and advocacy efforts.

Making the world more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities is at the core of The Viscardi Center’s mission, and that includes prioritizing an equal online experience for all. Digital Accessibility Services launched to help businesses and organizations meet evolving industry standards and ensure customers, students, and employees with disabilities get the most out of digital media—from web to documents to video content.

The Viscardi Center made a mission-based strategic acquisition of Able Newspaper, a periodical for, by and about people with disabilities founded in 1991 by Angela Miele Melledy. A unique publication, Able brings the reader information about the disability community. Aligning with The Viscardi Center’s “3Es” (educate, employ, empower), the acquisition enhanced and expanded upon the Center’s programs, services and advocacy.