LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Henry Viscardi School at Abili-
ties! upon the occasion of the celebration of its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are
reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and
individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and
its citizenry and have made strong contributions to the disability
community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Henry Viscardi School at Abilities! upon the occasion of the cele-
bration of its 50th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Abilities!, located in Albertson, New York is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with disabili-
ties to be active, independent, and self-sufficient participants of
society; and
WHEREAS, Through education, training, technology, research, leadership
and example, Abilities! seeks to provide the highest quality services
and to influence state and national attitudes, policies and legislation
in ways which will provide the greatest benefit for people with disabil-
ities; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1960s, Founder Dr. Henry Viscardi moved Abili-
ties, Inc. to a larger facility, its current home in Albertson, New
York, and expanded the National Center for Disability Services to
include vocational training and job placement for all people with disa-
bilities and, in 1962, he established an accredited, independent school
for children with severe physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy
and muscular dystrophy, as well as rare diseases which require constant
medical attention, now known as the Henry Viscardi School (HVS); and
WHEREAS, The Henry Viscardi School is one of the nation's foremost
institutions for educating children with severe physical and medical
disabilities; it serves approximately 184 students annually in grades
pre-kindergarten through twelve; and
WHEREAS, The Henry Viscardi School was a vision of Abilities! Founder
Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. in 1961; Dr. Viscardi believed children with
disabilities could rise to great heights and fulfill their dreams; his
commitment to children with disabilities led to the creation of the
school which proudly bears his name; and
WHEREAS, Established as the Human Resources School in 1962 to educate
severely disabled children who could not attend their neighborhood
schools; founded by Dr. Viscardi, and supported by public and private
initiatives, the tuition-free school was, at the time, the only school
of its kind and was renamed, in 1991, the Henry Viscardi School in honor
of its founder; and
WHEREAS, The exceptional staff at the Henry Viscardi School includes
highly trained educators, physical and occupational therapists, speech
therapists, school nurses, psychologists, and social workers; and
WHEREAS, It is truly a teaching community of students, parents, teach-
ers, staff, and volunteers dedicated to empowering students with phys-
ical disabilities and health impairments to enable them, in keeping with
Abilities!' vision and purpose, to be active, independent, self-suffi-
cient participants in society; and
WHEREAS, The Henry Viscardi School is an accredited model school for
ages pre-K through 12; it creates supportive and challenging learning
environments and integrated community-based services where students are
treated with dignity and respect; its students come from 47 Long Island

school districts, as well as Westchester and all five of New York City's
boroughs and 50 percent of its students are involved in an adaptive
sports program; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, 90 percent of the Henry Viscardi School's graduating
seniors earned Regents Diplomas and 10 percent earned local diplomas;
and
WHEREAS, The dedication, commitment, and significant accomplishments
of Abilities!, the Henry Viscardi School, and all those who have been
associated with them over the years truly merit the recognition of this
Legislative Body and the appreciation of all those who have benefited
from their services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and commend the Henry Viscardi School at Abilities! upon the occa-
sion of the celebration of its 50th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Henry Viscardi School at Abilities!.