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Henry Viscardi Jr.
Henry Viscardi Jr. (1912-2004) was an American disability rights advocate who championed the cause of equality and employment of disabled people in workforce. He was also advisor t...view moreHenry Viscardi Jr. (1912-2004) was an American disability rights advocate who championed the cause of equality and employment of disabled people in workforce. He was also advisor to eight U.S. Presidents on matters pertaining to disability policies.
Born on May 10, 1912, Viscardi Jr. founded Abilities, Inc. in 1952, on the advice of the First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. This expanded to what is today known as the Viscardi Center, a non-profit organization advocating for the empowerment of people with disabilities and a global leader. The center’s purpose is to prepare adolescents and adults with all types of disabilities (cognitive, physical, learning, developmental) and levels of experience for entry or re-entry into the workforce. It assists them in securing pre-employment services, as well as employment, so that they can enjoy independent living, full community participation and economic self-sufficiency. In his honour, the Viscardi Centre in 2013 started the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards to identify and recognise exemplary leaders from the disability community.
In order to provide equal opportunities to children with disabilities of all ages, Henry Viscardi Jr. also founded the Human Resources School in Albertson, New York in 1952, which was later renamed as the Henry Viscardi School in his honour. The school is a state-accredited institution of learning, where all students are classified for special education and provided services mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Attended by physically disabled students with high academic performance, it is supported by public and private initiatives—the only one of its kind in the world.
Viscardi Jr. served as advisor to several U.S. residents, bringing many policy changes in the disability sector. He was also the author of the book Give Us the Tools (1959).
He died on April 14, 2004, aged 91.view less