Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington) announced that she sponsored a resolution posthumously honoring disability advocate Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., which was adopted by the state Assembly (K.877), as well as helped pass several measures to strengthen services and support for New Yorkers with disabilities.
“Every New Yorker – regardless of their ability – deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and lead fulfilling, independent lives,” said Sillitti. “Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., who was a member of the disability community, was an early pioneer whose selflessness and dedication has bettered the lives of so many people on Long Island and across the country. To carry on his monumental legacy, I recently helped pass legislation to help make our state an inclusive and welcoming place for all. I’ll always fight for people with disabilities and make sure everyone can thrive and grow in their communities.”
Viscardi was born on May 10, 1912, and served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter. In 1952, Viscardi Jr. established the original incarnation of the Viscardi Center in a garage in West Hempstead, where he treated World War II and Korean War veterans with disabilities.
The center grew steadily over the years and moved to a larger facility in Albertson in the early 1960s, where the center continues to operate today. In 1962, he opened a school for students with severe physical disabilities, which was later named The Viscardi School in his honor. Viscardi Jr.’s unwavering advocacy inspired landmark legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and it’s important to honor his life and legacy, noted Sillitti.
“The Viscardi Center services folks in my district and earlier this week, we marked the special occasion of what would be the 110th birthday of Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. The center builds confidence of youth, adults, and veterans with disabilities. It gives everyone who comes through their doors a sense of learning, working and the freedom of independent living,” said Sillitti. “On behalf of my colleagues on Long Island, I’m so proud to honor Dr. Viscardi Jr. for his story of courage and determination and legacy on human rights.”
To further expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in New York State, Assemblywoman Sillitti helped pass a measure to establish a small-business tax credit for businesses with less than 100 employees that employ a person with disabilities for at least six months and a minimum of 35 hours per week (A.3960-A). The credit would be capped at $5,000 per employee, up to a maximum of $25,000 per employer.
To improve housing options that are appropriate for the disabled community, Sillitti also helped pass a bill to create a tax credit for new or retrofitted principal residences that are universally designed to be accessible and adaptable housing (A.3409-A). The maximum tax credit is $2,750 for a newly constructed residence or 50% of the amount expended – up to $2,750 – for a renovated residence. In addition, Assemblywoman Sillitti helped pass a bill to require the state Department of Civil Service to post open positions, examination announcements and application instructions on a publicly accessible website (A.8599-A).
