Story reprinted from Able News October 2024 issue.
NYS Representative Gina Sillitti, Viscardi Board Member Steven Markowitz, KIDS founders John and Janet Kornreich, Nassau County Executive Bruce
Blakeman, Viscardi President & CEO Dr. Chris Rosa, and members of the Viscardi community celebrate the ground-breaking of the museum.
The history of disability is interwoven throughout human history, and yet, it’s all too often overlooked in history lessons. An exciting new initiative is poised to change this: in September, ground was broken on a Museum of Disability History, which will be housed within the Kornreich Institute for Disabilities Studies (KIDS) at The Viscardi Center.
KIDS, named in recognition of its lead donors, John and Janet Kornreich, was founded with, as Mr. Kornreich highlighted in his remarks at a September 13, 2024 press conference, the mission “to inform, educate, inspire, and, yes, even entertain the students at the Henry Viscardi School (HVS)” by integrating disability history as part of the curriculum. The Museum of Disability History will truly bring this mission to life, not only for the students of HVS, but also for the broader Long Island community and beyond.
Relocating from its original home in Erie County, NY, the Museum of Disability History, set to open in fall 2025, is being celebrated as a forthcoming landmark for visitors to Nassau County. Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive and a longtime supporter of The Viscardi Center, attended the ground-breaking event to announce the County’s investment of $500,000 in the museum, with an additional $100,000 allocated for marketing to spread the word and invite people from far and wide to come learn about disability.
When asked by a member of the Viscardi community in the audience about why he is so committed to supporting the Museum of Disability History, County Executive Blakeman underscored the importance of understanding the stories of the disability community, reminding everyone that “people with disabilities are part of the fabric of our county and our country.”
And there are many stories to tell. Mr. Kornreich noted just some of the leaders with disabilities whose stories will be spotlighted through the museum, including the late Kansas Senator Bob Dole, a veteran injured in World War II; Paralympian gold medalist Oksana Masters, who is a double amputee; and former Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand and played in the major leagues for 10 years, throwing a historic no-hitter.
The Invacar, which will be on display at the museum.
As Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, shared, the museum will be a “place to curate disability history, disability culture, and disability identity.” This will include an incredible range of over 3,000 artifacts on display. Featured at the ground-breaking event was one artifact of early accessibility that will be in the museum: a 1948 teal-colored “Invacar” vehicle from the United Kingdom, modified with hand controls for a driver with a disability to use.
With so much to explore at the museum, it’s sure to invigorate tourism to the area. “We are so excited about this new jewel in the array of cultural, educational, and tourist attractions on Long Island,” said Steven Markowitz, a member of the Board of The Viscardi Center. “The Kornreich Institute and the Museum of Disability History are unique in all the country and we expect its reputation, prominence, and worldwide attraction to grow over the years.”
Matt Cohen, Long Island Association President & CEO, is likewise enthusiastic: “The Museum of Disability History is critical to our understanding of the challenges people with disabilities have faced throughout our past and present,” he said. “The LIA is grateful to The Viscardi Center and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for making it possible for this resource to be located on Long Island. We look forward to continuing to partner with Dr. Chris Rosa on the LIA Board of Directors and LIA Foundation Board and the entire team at Viscardi to foster an economy that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of everyone in our workforce.”
With such robust community support, the Museum of Disability History will be a momentous next chapter in the rich history of disability.