Viscardi Center acquires Able Newspaper

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In Albertson, The Viscardi Center has purchased Able Newspaper, a monthly publication whose audience includes people with disabilities, their caregivers and their families, as well as professionals who serve those with disabilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition of the paper, which was founded by Angela Miele Melledy in 1991, aligns with the goals of the center, a network of nonprofits that serve people with disabilities. Now, The Viscardi Center aims to broaden and enhance its resources and opportunities, and reach a wider audience.

“We congratulate Angela Miele Melledy on a historic career as the founding publisher and editor of Able, the ‘newspaper of record’ for New York’s disability community,” Chris Rosa, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center, said in a written statement.

“We are humbled that Angela has entrusted the stewardship of this cherished news source to The Viscardi Center,” Rosa added. “In building upon Angela’s remarkable legacy, Viscardi is excited to leverage dynamic content and platforms to take Able to new places and levels of accessibility, all the while ensuring it delivers news by, for, and about New York’s disability community.”

Melledy said in a written statement that after “33 years of publishing Able Newspaper, I am delighted to have found a wonderful home for it. I know The Viscardi Center, with its many years of excellent work for people with disabilities, is the perfect match for the paper and will be able to continue and build on our history of informing the disability community.”

The acquisition comes at a time when 61 million (one in four) Americans have a disability that impacts major life activities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  And because the global disability community’s disposable income represents $1.2 trillion – according to the International Labour Organization, an arm of the United Nations – the publication offers an opportunity for companies that are focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility to tap into a niche market that is often overlooked.

This acquisition also aligns with the programs at Viscardi, which aims to educate, employ and empower children, adults and veterans with disabilities. The publication focuses on national, state and local news through a disability perspective. It also includes legislation impacting the disability community. There is coverage on relevant programs, services, events and sports. And there are columns by experts in their disability-related fields.

Efforts are underway at Viscardi to invest new resources into the publication.

The center will be hiring an editor and a sales manager to drive revenue from advertisers. In addition, it will retain freelance writers, including those from the center, providing new, paid opportunities for those connected with Viscardi.

And on an educational level, the center aims to further its experiential learning opportunities for students and program participants. Along with the career exploration, internships, work-readiness activities, and the paid employment opportunities, the center said it would provide a platform for employers to post job openings. In this way, Viscardi aims to deliver on its commitment to increase pre- and tangible employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Currently, Able has a print and online presence, with a Long Island edition and an online platform with a New York edition. The print edition is delivered to key locations where people with disabilities frequent and is distributed at disability-related shows; these shows include what Viscardi describes as “the largest end-user NY-metro event – The Abilities Expo.” Over the years, the publication has received local, regional and national awards and commendations from government officials and disability organizations. In addition, since 1991, the Library of Congress has curated issues of Able in its archives.

Able will be rebranded under The Viscardi Center umbrella and relaunch in early 2024. The new format will include an accessible web presence and the introduction of new digital and video content, as well as podcasting.