April 15, 2015
Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center was named a Finalist in the Innovation Award category in The 3rd Annual Long Island Imagine Awards. The Long Island Imagine Awards was created to offer formal acknowledgement to some of Long Island’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. Last year’s event attracted over 300 attendees from the nonprofit and business communities and an even larger crowd is expected this year.
Winners will be announced LIVE at the awards gala at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Nominated organizations, their constituents and the Long Island business community are expected to attend. More than 130 entries were submitted for consideration in five categories, including Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Social Entrepreneurism, Rising Star, and Social Impact. Henry Viscardi School is one of four finalists in the Empire National Bank Innovation Award category.
Henry Viscardi School (HVS) was founded in 1962 and educates severely physically disabled students who overcome all odds to participate in an enriched academic program and vibrant extracurricular activities, thanks to the dedication and creativity of the school’s staff. This innovative team of classroom teachers, medical staff, occupational and physical therapists, and administrators ensure each student can pursue the school experience he or she desires. HVS teachers and staff strive to improve access for each of our unique students, so they may all have the education tools to seek independence and employment in adulthood. Some of the exciting results of its team’s collaborative spirit include a “Slam Dunk” apparatus that brings students with virtually no mobility into competitive wheelchair basketball, customization of switches to give students control of computers and wheelchairs with any mobile body part (single finger, head, cheek, foot, etc.), use of eye-tracking software and specialized mice/joysticks that offer students active participation in classroom discussions with teachers and peers, and equipment adaptations for sports and art that help students join the action regardless of mobility limitations. See the “Slam Dunk” in action.
Finalists were chosen by Long Island business professionals during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards’ Distinguished Judging Panel selected the Imagine Awards winners from among the Finalists during final judging.
“Being named a Finalist in The Long Island Imagine Awards is an important achievement,” said Ken Cerini, Founder of the Long Island Imagine Awards. “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition for their innovation, leadership, entrepreneurism, and sustainability. Congratulations to all of the Finalists on their achievement.”
Details about Long Island Imagine Awards and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at http://www.ceriniandassociates.com/imagine-awards.
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 Pre-K 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.
About The Imagine Awards: The Imagine Awards was created in 2012 by Managing Partner, Ken Cerini of Cerini & Associates, LLP. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Imagine Awards recognize outstanding performances in the Long Island Community. Learn more about the Imagine Awards, visit http://www.ceriniandassociates.com/imagine-awards.
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