Fast Facts
- The K-age 21Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center was founded in 1962 by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr.
- Today the student population is 166.
- The Hon. Robert E. Pipia, HVS Class of 1982, is a Nassau County District Court Judge.
Technology is a Bridge to Education and Communication at Viscardi
Technology is an essential part of the classroom and social experience at the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center in Albertson, Nassau County. The school serves students with severe physical disabilities, many of whom have complex health issues requiring 24-hour access to nursing supervision and life-sustaining medical care.
Using the latest hardware, software, and assistive tools, students are each equipped with customized devices and programs they need to access the same academic curriculum as their peers in a mainstream environment.
A visually impaired child may need a computer that can run a screen-reading program or have the lesson magnified, or be introduced to Braille, for example, while a non-verbal child may utilize an assistive device to “speak” a response to his/her teacher. Many Viscardi students use technology to communicate with therapists, staff and classmates throughout the school day. Technology plays a vital role in helping the students learn, understand and wholly participate in classroom academics and social activities, as well as fine art, music and digital media classes.
With the use of assistive devices and fully accessible classroom and homework documents, students at the Henry Viscardi School follow a traditional school curriculum despite their profound physical disability barriers in vision, hearing, communications, mobility and/or dexterity.
In addition, technology plays an essential role in enabling Henry Viscardi School’s teaching and therapeutic professionals to develop and deliver the most up-to-date curricula and speech, occupational and physical therapy services, thus allowing the students to fully participate in an enriched learning experience while building the life skills they will need to live active, fulfilling and independent lives.
More About Dr. Viscardi
Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. firmly believed that children with disabilities could rise to great heights and fulfill their dreams if given the opportunity to receive a quality education. He was instrumental in the passing of the groundbreaking Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. He served as trusted disabilities advisor to eight U. S. presidents – from FDR to Jimmy Carter, and aided in the creation of disability-focused organizations in Europe, Asia and Australia. Today the school serves students from 47 schools districts in the Tri-State area.