Abilities!

News

Home (Economics Classroom) Improvement

October 30, 2006

Albertson, NY — New York State Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli has provided a $50,000 grant, which will enable students with disabilities at the Henry Viscardi School (HVS) to function more independently in their home environments. The grant provides for the renovation of the home economics classroom, providing for a more accessible design and equipment for special needs children at HVS.

“I greatly admire the success of Abilities! in working with varying segments of the community to remove institutional and attitudinal barriers so that all people can fulfill their potential,” Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli said. “I am proud to have helped secure a state grant to make the home economics classroom more user friendly for students of the Henry Viscardi School and I look forward to seeing the project completed very soon.”

“The renovation of the home economics classroom is essential as it better enables HVS to prepare its students to become independent and self-sufficient members of society,” stated Ed Cortez, President and CEO, Abilities!. “The home economics classroom was originally built and furnished over 20 years ago. Although we have made periodic upgrades to the facility and equipment, a complete renovation is truly required in order to better prepare our students to live independently. Much has changed with regard to building design concepts and household items, which today are more accessible for people with disabilities. Thanks to the generosity of Assemblyman DiNapoli, we will now be able to incorporate accessible design concepts at HVS and be able to use it as a demonstration site for others to see.”

Henry Viscardi School (an affiliate of Abilities!)

The Henry Viscardi School (HVS), founded in 1962, is one of eleven “4201” Schools in New York State—a unique group of schools that provide educational services to children who are severely disabled. Providing an accredited academic program for grades pre-k through 12, for children aged 4 through 21, HVS serves children who reside in as many as 72 school districts on Long Island, New York City and Westchester, County. The Henry Viscardi School is a resource to all of these districts when they cannot accommodate the medical needs of a child with a severe disability or multiple disabilities. Approximately 220 children with severe medical and physical disabilities are enrolled annually.

Abilities! (formerly the National Center for Disability Services)

Founded in 1952, Abilities! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where people with disabilities receive the same treatment as all other people and have equal access to the benefits society offers. With a staff of more than 400, including experts in education, human resources and technology, Abilities! has grown to become a global leader in the full integration of people with disabilities into everyday life. More information about Abilities! and its wide range of services to individuals, organizations and private-sector businesses is available at www.abilitiesonline.org

Mission

Abilities! is a non-profit agency that is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to be active, independent, and self-sufficient participants in our society. Through education, training, research, leadership, and example, Abilities! seeks to provide the highest quality services and to influence national attitudes, policies, and legislation in ways that will lead to the greatest benefits for the people it serves.

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