Long Island Disabilities Center Creates International Awards Program
ALBERTSON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A Long Island disability center has created an international awards program to honor leaders in the disabled community.
The Viscardi Center of Albertson, named in honor of disabilities advocate Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., created the awards.
Viscardi used prosthetic legs and served as an adviser on disabilities to veterans and to eight presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter.
An advisory board will be chaired by former Sen. Bob Dole, who uses a wheelchair, and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, who is deaf.
The first awards will be announced March 4, which marks the 80th anniversary of Roosevelt's first inauguration as president.
The Democrat was paralyzed by polio when he was 39 and served as New York's governor before being elected to four terms as president.
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