International Center for the Disabled (ICD)

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The International Center for the Disabled (ICD) offers rehabilitative services and presents services related to other developmental needs that people may have. The ICD was founded in 1917; they were the first outpatient rehabilitation center in America. They have pioneered new services and programs that assist thousands of people to achieve greater independence, better health, education, productive work, and an enhanced family life.

At this time, the ICD serves more than four-thousand people each year from all five boroughs of New York City. People with disabilities can access their services from the organization's Manhattan center where they will receive speech and language services, medical care, mental health care, as well as vocational services - all from the same location. The ICD has gained recognition as a leader in the provision of integrated rehabilitation care.

One of the Founders of the ICD, Jeremiah Milbank Sr., was a noted philanthropist. He helped to found the ICD in order to serve veterans returning from World War I. The ICD went on to become the very first outpatient rehabilitation center in the nation, assisting thousands of veterans to both re-enter the workforce and regain their independence. In the years since that time, the ICD has created programs for people with disabilities and additional rehabilitative and development needs.

Through a period of nine decades, the organization has served greater than a quarter of a million people living in the New York area. World leaders, United States Presidents, Disability Advocates, as well as entertainment celebrities, have all visited the ICD and expressed support for the organization, its mission, and the people the ICD serves. After ninety years and greater than eight-million visits from people they serve, the organization is still just as committed to the mission they declared in the year 1917: "To Provide Comprehensive Services that Help Maximize an Individual's Full Potential." The ICD was the first to accomplish a number of things including:

• 1917: First comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center in the United States
• 1919: First International Conference on Rehabilitation held
• 1920: First to rehabilitate an injured worker under Workers' Compensation Law
• 1936: First vocational evaluation system to determine work aptitudes, setting a world standard
• 1943: First training in rehabilitation for U.S. Air Force doctors treating World War II veterans and servicemen
• 1955: First comprehensive training program for orthotics and prosthetics personnel to help meet worldwide shortage
• 1962: First to design and construct a building for rehabilitation, research and professional education
• 1986: First national public policy study published on disabled Americans, which was instrumental in leading to the passage of The Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990
• 1991: First substance abuse program in New York for people with physical disabilities
• 1993: First chemical dependency program designed specifically for people with traumatic brain injuries
• 2000: First community based school-to-work transition program for adolescents with psychiatric disabilities
• 2004: First outpatient pain management program for children, adolescents and adults with chronic conditions
• 2005: First professional training program to teach substance abuse providers across the state to identify brain injury in their clients and modify treatment protocols

The ICD provides people who experience disability with physiatrists who work right along with both occupational and physical therapists in order to treat a wide-range of neurological, orthopedic, vascular and neuromuscular conditions in people from all age groups. The doctors working for the organization, as well as the therapists, all have extensive experience with assisting people who have cerebral palsy, a form of brain injury, post-polio or post-surgical needs, as well as multiple sclerosis. These professionals have the abilities to either reduce or eliminate a number of functional or physical issues without the need for surgery. Things such as chronic or acute pain, rheumatism, arthritis, gait difficulties, balance issues, musculoskeletal issues, neuropathy, post-operative knee or hip issues, or post-stroke conditions are all ones that the professionals at the ICD have experience in treating.

The physicians and occupational therapists at the ICD work with people to order, fit and then train them to use braces, orthopedic adaptive devices, as well as both manual and electric wheelchairs. The organization's physical and occupational gym is among the largest in New York City. The ICD's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center presents a training program for medical interns as well, giving major medical schools and teaching hospitals in the New York area an excellent venue of opportunity.

Holistic Approach

The ICD takes a holistic and person-centered approach to care. Staff members are able to evaluate and treat both children and adolescents who experience unique developmental and treatment needs that may include:

• School and learning problems
• Speech/language delays and disorders
• Hearing problems and related disorders
• Sensory integration and motor skills issues
• Behavioral, attention, and hyperactivity concerns

The organization has a comprehensive team that can, if appropriate, coordinate care between all of their pediatric services. These services include medicine, speech and language services, neurology, cognitive rehabilitation, psychology, physical and occupational therapy, psychiatry and others. The goal is to maximize the young person's potential. Below are descriptions of the services related to children offered by the ICD:

Speech, Language and Learning Services

The ICD has a Center for Speech/Language and Hearing that is comprised of New York State licensed, Department of Education certified staff members who are able to give a comprehensive evaluation of children. These staff members are able to use both standardized, formal testing and informal measures to ensure that the most accurate profile is achieved. Professionals evaluate the child's strengths and weaknesses to understand their learning style, and a plan is created along with the parents and educators.

Child Psychology and Learning Disabilities

The ICD has Department of Education certified clinical and school psychologists and neuro-psychologist who are able to both evaluate and treat children from every age group. These staff professionals consistently work with issues related to behavior, emotion, and cognitive issues which may be related to development, school, or family concerns. They are able to provide assessments that investigate learning disabilities or psycho-educational issues as well. Along with a Speech/Language and Auditory evaluation, the team at ICD can create an individualized plan that incorporates a child's strengths in order to overcome obstacles.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Psychiatry

The ICD employs both pediatric physiatrists and pediatricians who are able to make detailed evaluations of children and their health needs. Occupational therapists can improve a child's fine motor skills and daily living functioning. Physical therapists for the organization concentrate on development of gross motor functions and enhancing a child's ability to both participate and move within their environment. Through these services, children can overcome functional barriers with greater ease and participate in activities - www.icdnyc.org

Author Credentials:

Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant Thomas has assisted people from a variety of racial, religious, gender, class, and age groups by providing care for people with all forms of disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson's; para and quadriplegia to Spina Bifida.

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Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.