HENRY VISCARDI SCHOOL
Our History
1952
The Beginning
1962
Henry Viscardi School Opens
19XX
Project R.A.M.P.
1993
Wheelchair Basketball
2021
Independent Living House
2023
Universally-designed Pool
1952 - The Beginning
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.
1962 - Henry Viscardi School Opens
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. The school was quickly recognized as innovative and a leading-edge model by educators and therapists around the country and the world – and it continues to be today.
19XX - Project R.A.M.P.
Project R.A.M.P., a project-based/work-based learning program which parallels the CDOS Standards of New York State, was launched. Project R.A.M.P. is an option for students as a post 12th Grade program attending Henry Viscardi School.
1993 - Wheelchair Basketball
The Wheelchair Basketball program was created to allow children of all levels of physical disabilities to play together as a team and reach their highest potential as athletes. The program, consisting of three age-appropriate teams, gives students a chance to have fun, respect individual needs, foster school spirit, as well as learn good sportsmanship and teamwork.
2021 - Independent Living House
A fully renovated and accessible house, on the campus of The Viscardi Center, opened to provide a state-of-the-art setting for youth and adults with disabilities to learn daily living skills. It also serves as a universal design model for architects, builders, designers and technology companies. Through day and overnight programming, it is a “home” where countless cherished memories are made! Take a virtual tour of the house.
2023 - Universally-design Pool
The newly renovated John J. Gutleber Aquatic Center, made possible through a gift by Castagna Realty, is unveiled – providing high-quality aquatic physical education programming for students attending Henry Viscardi School. The renovated Aquatic Center enables the students to safely enjoy fun, therapeutic aquatic exercise outside of their wheelchairs or braces; serves as a model of universal design; and is an example of Viscardi’s commitment to accessibility for all. Watch Viscardi CEO Dr. Chris Rosa make a splash by taking his first pool plunge, in more than 30 years, with our third graders!
Where We’re Going
A hub for leading edge approaches to education, therapy, assistive technology and adapted sports, Henry Viscardi School empowers youth with disabilities throughout their elementary and secondary school journeys and prepares them for life post-graduation. We’re adapting our curriculum to align with new trends and burgeoning opportunities in STEM while addressing areas of unmet need, such as piloting Long Island’s first Inclusive Higher Education program – comprehensive and integrated post-secondary education coursework on a college campus aimed at improving opportunities for meaningful competitive employment.
Stay Connected
Read about what’s happening at Henry Viscardi School. Check out our latest school and student news and upcoming events— then learn how you can get involved and make a positive impact.
Join our Diverse Team
We are dedicated to recruiting and hiringqualified individuals for a wide range of educational, therapeutic, administrative and support services positions. We pride ourselves on our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. The Viscardi Center has been a recipient of the National Organization on Disability’s Leading Disability Employer Seal every year since 2018.
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