ICD (re)Releases Report on Creating a Pipeline of Individuals with Disabilities for Employment in the Technology Sector

Partners:

ICD- Institute for Career Development, New York Institute of Technology, CUNY Labor Market Information Service

Funded by:

The New York City Economic Development Corporation

What’s Being Addressed:

Opportunities for individuals with disabilities (IWDs) to obtain both training and employment in the technology sector are scant, despite growing talent needs and shortages in qualified candidates. The purpose of our research was to identify optimal pathways for moving IWDs through well-designed training programs to well-paid and welcoming environments for employment in the technology sector.

Key Paths to Improvement:

• Adopt performance-based interviewing approaches for IWDs seeking tech jobs.

• Remove degree requirements for positions where skills can be obtained through vocational training and industry-recognized certification/credentialing programs.

• Include disability as an aspect of diversity and inclusion policy and implement audits such as the Disability Equality Index survey to ensure policy becomes practice.

• Develop new and innovative entry pathways for high demand job openings, such as paid internship programs and other “try-out” models that allow hiring managers to directly assess the work performance of IWDs.

• Build capacity for serving IWDs by fostering closer collaboration between tech training providers and training providers who specialize in working with IWDs.

• Visit https://www.icdnyc.org/donate to support our participants today!

Sign-Up Below for a Free Download of our Full Report

Press Release: ICD's Third "School to Success" Partner Announcement

ICD Announces Partnership with Brooklyn’s High School for Youth And Community Development at Erasmus Hall to Grow Pioneering Citywide Initiative

The Initiative Helps Youth with Disabilities Transition from School to Career

 New York, NY – October 3, 2023 – The Institute for Career Development (ICD) announced today a partnership with the High School for Youth and Community Development at Erasmus Hall in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. The partnership adds a third school to a pioneering initiative, launched with two schools last year, that will grow to be citywide to help youth with disabilities transition from school to career. The initial two schools are Discovery High School in The Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

Tens of thousands of students with disabilities leave public high schools every year only to find themselves face to face with a gap where the services they depended upon to finish school had previously been. This new initiative, created by ICD, is designed to bridge this gap by providing services that will enhance college and career opportunities for youth with disabilities. 

Through this initiative, the 105-year-old Institute for Career Development works with high school students with disabilities to prepare them to make the jump to college or vocational training and start their careers. ICD staff members serve as navigators for individual students to guide them around obstacles and over hurdles as they work toward building the skills needed to launch fulfilling careers.

ICD identified this citywide gap in support for youth with disabilities while working with the nonprofit consulting firm The Bridgespan Group on a new strategic plan and is now shifting its focus to bridge that gap. ICD has similarly adjusted its focus at different intervals in the past, always retaining its commitment to people with disabilities but adapting to contemporary priorities. Most recently it has focused on vocational evaluation, career planning, and job training and placement primarily for adults with disabilities.

“ICD is excited to be working with the High School for Youth and Community Development at Erasmus Hall to grow this much-needed new initiative,” said Diosdado Gica, ICD President of Programs and Operations.

“This new initiative will help students with disabilities to better understand how to advocate for themselves and successfully navigate their way through the complex systems of services and supports available to them after they leave school,” said Joseph T. McDonald, ICD President of Development and Communications. “It offers enormous potential to build the self-confidence, resilience, and agency that they will need to continue overcoming the biases and barriers to employment that they will face as adults.”

 “We are excited to help pioneer this evolving citywide initiative,” said Marie Prendergast, Principal of the High School for Youth and Community Development at Erasmus Hall. “We are pleased that our students will start to see the benefits in the Fall. They will receive long-term, holistic support through their high school years and beyond that we expect will result in greater self-determination, better economic mobility, and improved overall well-being.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.

About ICD

ICD - Institute for Career Development is a nonprofit workforce development organization for people with disabilities. Founded in 1917 and based in New York City, ICD helps youth and adults transform their lives through career services and employment. We specialize in assisting individuals as they prepare for and navigate career pathways at all stages of life from high school through adulthood.

About the High School for Youth and Community Development at Erasmus Hall

The High School for Youth and Community Development is a collaborative and inclusive community dedicated to empowering students to become lifelong learners by providing equitable support, fostering personal growth, and developing an innovative mindset to prosper in the global world. We aim to cultivate graduates who are confident in their path to success.

BK Reader Publishes a Piece About ICD's Third "School to Success" Partner School

On Sunday, October 8th, BK Reader published a piece about ICD's new "School to Success" partner in Brooklyn, the High School for Youth and Community Development, titled, “Flatbush School Joins Program to Help Youth with Disabilities Transition from School to Career.”

In the piece, Marie Prendergast, Principal of the High School for Youth and Community Development says,

"We are excited to help pioneer this evolving citywide initiative...We are pleased that our students will start to see the benefits in the Fall. They will receive long-term, holistic support through their high school years and beyond that we expect will result in greater self-determination, better economic mobility, and improved overall well-being"

Later in the story, ICD’s Co-President, Joseph T. McDonald III, says,

“This new initiative will help students with disabilities to better understand how to advocate for themselves and successfully navigate their way through the complex systems of services and supports available to them after they leave school…It offers enormous potential to build the self-confidence, resilience, and agency that they will need to continue overcoming the biases and barriers to employment that they will face as adults.” 

To read the full piece, click here.

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NYN Media Publishes a Piece About ICD's New Accessible GED Test Center

On Saturday, September 23rd, NYN Media published a piece about ICD’s new fully accessible GED test center titled, “GED test center for people with disabilities opens in NYC.”

ICD’s President of Development and Communications states that,

“We are a workforce development agency for people with disabilities. So our ultimate outcome is to help people not just to get jobs, but to find career paths. And the very first barrier to being hired is a diploma or a GED. So for those who are looking to take this test, this is a life changing moment.”

The author goes on to say that,

'“For the institute, it’s not just about providing a facility for people with disabilities to take the exam, it’s about helping them obtain the tools they need to overcome any obstacles in their path towards a career. They work one-on-one and do tutorials for those whose learning disabilities are not addressed by mainstream programs. Whether it be test taking strategies or even learning computer literacy in order to take the exam as it is administered digitally, ICD provides test takers with in depth assessments to help address all of their needs.”

To read the full piece, click here.

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amNY Publishes a Piece About ICD's New Accessible GED Test Center

On Wednesday, September 13th, amNY published a piece titled, “First GED Test Center for People with Disabilities in New York City Now Officially Open.”

In the piece, the author says,

“The first GED test center for people with learning and physical disabilities in New York City opened for scheduling Tuesday at the Institute for Career Development. The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center, located in lower Manhattan at 123 William Street, provides full accessibility to anyone with a disability to take a GED test to obtain an equivalent to a high school diploma. The testing will be provided for free as long as the person was approved to take the GED.”

The launch event was hosted in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

The story quotes the Assistant Commissioner of MOPD, Martha Jackson, who said that the test center is an “accessible, supportive, and respectful center where proper accommodations will be provided.”

To read the full piece, click here.

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Press Release: ICD's Fully Accessible GED Test Center Launch

Institute for Career Development Opens First Ged Test Center in New York City Designed Specifically to Address the Needs of People with Disabilities

New York, NY – September 12, 2023 – The Institute for Career Development (ICD) announced today the opening of the first GED test center in New York City designed specifically to address the needs of people with disabilities. Located at 123 William Street in lower Manhattan, the test center can provide full accessibility to anyone with a disability who receives approval for special accommodations for taking a GED test to obtain a high school equivalency diploma.

At the opening ceremony, Martha K. Jackson, Assistant Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities – and Interim Executive Director of the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion – said, “There is now an accessible, supportive, and respectful center where proper accommodations will be provided. This will make a significant difference for those who are unemployed and underemployed, who didn’t follow a traditional educational route, but deserve every chance to be a New Yorker who can live, learn, work, and thrive.”

New York City has a population of about 7.9 million people, nearly 1 million of whom live with a disability – with an estimated 10% or 100,000 using wheelchairs. Yet there has not previously been a GED test center designed for New Yorkers with disabilities – no matter what the nature of the disability is. The new test center addresses that need.

The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center offers specialized equipment to supplement the standard equipment needed for taking the test, which is taken on a computer. The standard equipment includes a dedicated network, operating software, test laptops, laptop software, videocams, electronic signature pads, and computer monitors. The supplemental equipment includes general assistive technology – such as noise-canceling headphones, advanced screen reading software, and dictation software – as well as specific assistive technology – such as eye tracking devices; ergonomic keyboards, mice, touchpads, and joysticks; wrist supports; screen magnification and adjustable monitor arms for viewing ease; and remote-controlled, wheelchair-accessible, adjustable desks and sit-stand desk mount monitor arms.

Left to right: ICD Co-President Joseph McDonald, NYC Assistant Commissioner Martha Jackson, ICD Board Chair Richard Weber, and ICD Co-President Diosdado Gica celebrate the ribbon-cutting at the official opening of the ICD GED Test Center.

Many of these accommodations can be applied in a group setting. Three separate rooms at the Test Center are available for those who require privacy when taking the test.

The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center can thereby address the full range of learning and physical disabilities. It can test up to 15 people at a time, depending on the precise mix of disabilities and the number of subjects (mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies, and science) being tested for each individual. It will offer two test sessions a month initially with the ability to add testing days based on demand. 

The testing is provided without charge to the person being tested. In New York State, test centers are prohibited from charging individuals for their GED test. Instead, test centers submit requests for reimbursement to the New York State Education Department.

Individuals needing special accommodations must apply to New York State’s GED Testing Service. ICD can provide support to those individuals in preparing their applications. Information on how to apply for accommodations is available at www.icdnyc.org/gedtest. ICD also offers pre-GED tutoring for people with disabilities interested in pursuing the GED test. These services are also offered free of charge to the individual. 

“The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center is an essential addition to the services offered to people with disabilities in New York City,” said Diosdado Gica, ICD President of Programs and Operations. “It provides a way for New Yorkers with any disability, who lack a high school diploma, to fulfill a crucial step in pursuing their greatest career ambitions. Today, most job postings require, at a minimum, a high school degree or its equivalent.”

“The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center provides a model for New York City as well as the state and the nation,” said Joseph T. McDonald, ICD President of Development and Communications. “Individuals with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority group and the largest untapped labor pool. Enabling all people with disabilities to take the GED test should be a priority at all levels of government.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.

About ICD

ICD - Institute for Career Development is a nonprofit workforce development organization for people with disabilities. Founded in 1917 and based in New York City, ICD helps youth and adults transform their lives through career services and employment. We specialize in assisting individuals as they prepare for and navigate career pathways at all stages of life from high school through adulthood.

New York Daily News Publishes a Commentary by ICD's Co-Presidents

On Tuesday, July 25th, New York Daily News published a commentary by ICD's Co-Presidents titled, “NYC can better address disabilities: Help people help themselves in school and work.”

In the piece, ICD’s Co-Presidents say, “New York City has a population of about 7.9 million, nearly 1 million of whom live with a disability. That should be enough for the city to design and implement a holistic approach to addressing disabilities. That approach should include early diagnosis, supports for students with disabilities to make the transition from school to career, assistance for disconnected youth, and greater emphasis from businesses on job certifications, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. The cost can be justified by the enhanced career trajectories of the students (and increased income tax revenue) and by costs avoided (such as preventable criminal justice involvement).”

To address this, ICD launched a two-school pilot program that provides career guidance to all students with disabilities and offers a model that the organization hopes can grow to be citywide.

ICD’s Co-Presidents go on to say,

“It’s time for all employers in New York City to value people with disabilities and what they can bring to their work settings. It’s time for New York City to set a new pace for the nation by implementing a holistic approach to addressing the career needs of people with disabilities.”

To read the full piece, click here.

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Gotham Gazette Publishes an Op-Ed by ICD's Co-Presidents

Recently, Gotham Gazette published an op-ed by ICD's Co-Presidents, Joseph T. McDonald III and Dio Gica, titled "Mayor Adams Is On The Right Track: New York City Should Prioritize Addressing Disabilities Early."

In the piece, ICD’s Co-Presidents say,

New York City Mayor Eric Adams understands the challenge faced by the city’s nearly 1 million New Yorkers living with a disability – and the importance of diagnosing and addressing disabilities early. . . Early diagnosis is key, but it must be accompanied by strategies to address the disability. That’s where New York City has an opportunity to set a new, cost-effective, national standard through collaboration among government, the nonprofit sector, and the business community.

Currently, ICD is spearheading this initiative through our two-school pilot program launched in the Fall of 2022 in partnership with Discovery High School in The Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens. 

ICD’s “School to Success” program provides each school with a full-time, on-site Navigator available to work with any student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan to prepare the student to make the jump to college or vocational training and embark upon a career.

With partnerships across the nonprofit, government, and business sectors, it is our hope that this model can grow to be citywide.

To read the full piece, click here.

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ICD's Co-President Quoted in a Press Release from the NYC Mayor's Office

ICD's Co-President, Dio Gica, was quoted in a press release issued by the NYC Mayor’s Office on January 27, 2023, titled “What They Are Saying: New Yorkers (and Tony Hawk) Praise Mayor Adams' "Working People's Agenda," State of the City Address.”

Mr. Gica said,

As a longstanding champion for workplace inclusion, the Institute for Career Development is looking forward to partnering with the Center for Workplace Accessibility to amplify the impact of our efforts to support New Yorkers with disabilities displaced by COVID-19.

To read the full piece, click here.

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ICD's "School to Success" Program Featured in a News 12 Story in the Bronx

ICD was proud to be featured in a News 12 story on our "School to Success" program that is taking place at Discovery High School (DHS) in the Bronx, as well as Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

The story highlights various aspects of the program at DHS, including work experiences at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center where students mentor younger kids and work at a food pantry that supports people in the community.

In the story, News 12 says,

"The goal [of the program] is to prepare students to transition from school to a future career.

Click here to watch the story and hear from some of the staff and students, including Samantha (pictured above), about the program.

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Bronx Times Publishes an Op-Ed by ICD's Co-Presidents

The Bronx Times published an op-ed by ICD's Co-Presidents titled "Op-Ed: Bronx educators help youth with disabilities transition from school to career.” In it, they highlight ICD's new "School to Success" program that was launched last year at Discovery High School in the Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

The piece cites various partners that make this program successful and impactful for students with disabilities as they transition from high school to career success, including Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Montefiore Health System, Center for an Urban Future, and The Bridgespan Group.

In the piece, ICD’s Co-Presidents say,

The navigators are available to work with any student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan – to guide the students in envisioning and pursuing fulfilling careers. They work with students starting in the 9th grade and continuing through at least one-year post-graduation to provide a host of services from in-depth evaluations and career exploration activities to connecting students to real-world work experiences and advanced post-secondary training.

To read the full piece, click here.

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ICD's Cisco CCNA Training Program Featured in Cisco Piece for International Day of Persons with Disabilities

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities last month, Cisco published a piece titled, "Cisco Networking Academy: Innovating To Make Education Accessible and Equitable for All."

In it, they highlight ICD's abilITy Cisco Networking Academy (Cisco CCNA), which was established as the first IT training program for people with disabilities in the United States in 2018!

To read the full article, click here.

For more information on ICD’s Cisco CCNA training program for New Yorkers with disabilities, click here.

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Queens Courier Publishes an Article on ICD's "School to Success" Initiative

The Queens Courier published an article on ICD’s School to Success” initiative that is designed to help youth with disabilities transition from school to career success. The piece highlights both of our partner schools, with a focus on Richmond Hill High School.

In the article, Richmond Hill’s Principal Neil Ganesh states,

Richmond Hill High School is pleased to help launch this new initiative. It offers long-term, holistic support to our students through their high school years and beyond that, we believe will lead to greater self-determination, better economic mobility, and improved overall well-being.

Additionally, Elyse Cosma, Richmond Hill’s Transition Coordinator, says,

We have always tried to set up our students so they have a plan upon graduation. A major reason for this partnership is that while our students with disabilities leave with a plan, they struggle with following their plan through due to a lack of that personal guidance. ICD is meant to provide that personal connection that will follow up with them after they leave Richmond Hill High.

To read the full article, click here.

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ICD's Co-President, Joseph T. McDonald III is Interviewed for a Podcast Series

ICD's Co-President, Joseph T. McDonald III, was interviewed for a podcast series called "Adapting with Alex Garrett," which covers topics related to National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, also known as NDEAM.

The host of the series, Alex Garrett, did a deep dive into ICD’s recent shift towards supporting youth with disabilities as they transition from high school to career success through a new pilot program called “School to Success.”

To check out the podcast episode, click here.

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ICD Hosts its 2022 Graduation and National Disability Employment Awareness Month Event

On October 27th, we held our 2022 Graduation and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) event celebrating the accomplishments of our vocational training students. 

The event was filled with delicious food, family and friends, pomp and circumstance, and inspiring student speakers like George Foulkes, a CompTIA A+ graduate who said,

I feel like I can build a better future because of the helping hand that ICD offered me. That is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.

We could not be more proud of all of our graduates for their hard work and dedication during their time at ICD, and wish them well in their new careers. 

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ICD Opens Striking New Art Gallery Created by Students with Disabilities

On October 22nd, ICD's striking new gallery of art created by students with disabilities from Discovery High School in the Bronx opened at our offices in Lower Manhattan.

From April to June of this year, twenty-two sophomores at Discovery High School in the Bronx came together to share deep, emotional, and influential experiences through creative expression.

Students created identity wheels, studied various artworks, and went to art exhibitions in downtown Manhattan at The Cooper Union to help them define what the word “identity” means to them. 

In this exhibition, “identity” means guts, love, obsession, heartbreak, heart-growth, friendship, revelations, experiences, queerness, and more.

We are thrilled to have this installation of art on diverse identities and self-discovery displayed in our offices for the next year and warmly invite you to visit us to see these impressive pieces in person.

You can also view the gallery online and bid on the work by clicking here. All proceeds go directly to the artists.

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Queens Gazette Publishes an Article on the Launch of ICD's "School to Success" Initiative

In their round-up of the news, Queens Gazette published a short article on the launch of ICD’s new “School to Success” program that is designed to help youth with disabilities transition from school to career success. In the piece, Queens Gazette highlights our first two school partners, Discovery High School in the Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

The article, titled “Help Disabled Youth Transition from School to Career" can be read below or found if you click here and scroll to the education stories near the bottom of the page.

The Institute for Career Development (ICD) announced on Sept. 28 the launch of the initial phase of a planned citywide initiative to help youth with disabilities transition from school to career. Tens of thousands of students with disabilities leave public high schools every year only to find themselves face to face with a gap where the services they depended upon to finish school had previously been. This new initiative, created by ICD while working with the nonprofit consulting firm The Bridgespan Group, is designed to bridge this gap by providing services that enhance college and career opportunities for youth with disabilities.

The initial phase of this initiative consists of a pilot program in partnership with Discovery High School in the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens. With the start of the new school year, ICD now has on-site at each school a full-time “Navigator” available to work with any student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan to prepare the student to make the jump to college or vocational training and embark upon a career. The Navigators, whose services are available at no cost to students or schools, will guide students around obstacles and over hurdles as they work to build skills needed to launch fulfilling careers.

The Navigators are supported by ICD’s full-time Transition Services Manager. She will split her time between school sites, amplifying the services provided by the Navigators and operating as the primary point of contact for school staff and parents of program participants. ICD staff will also work with each school to develop employer partners within their communities to provide work experiences for their students.

The Institute for Career Development is a New York City-based, not-for-profit, workforce development organization, whose mission is to help people transform their lives through career development and employment. A leader in the field of vocational rehabilitation since its founding in 1917, ICD specializes in serving people with barriers to employment – providing vocational evaluation, career planning services, job skills training programs, internships, and job placement services to youth and adults with disabilities.

Discovery High School’s mission is to prepare students for the rigor of college and life after high school. Students learn how to learn, how to think about their own thinking, and how to acquire the necessary skills they will need to be successful in the world of tomorrow.

Richmond Hill High School’s mission is to promote young adults who are happy, goal-oriented, well-adjusted, and academically prepared to face the challenges of the future and to contribute significantly to societal progress.

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The Forum Publishes a Feature Article on the Launch of ICD’s "School to Success" Initiative

The Forum published an article titled, “Group Launches First Phase of Planned Citywide Initiative to Help Youth with Disabilities Transition to Careers.” The piece highlights the launch of ICD’s new "School to Success" program in two NYC high schools, including Richmond Hill High School in Queens (also featured in the piece) and Discovery High School in the Bronx.

In the piece, The Forum states,

With the start of the new school year, ICD now has on-site at each school a full-time “Navigator” available to work with any student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan to prepare the student to make the jump to college or vocational training and embark upon a career. The Navigators, whose services are available at no cost to students or schools, will guide students around obstacles and over hurdles as they work to build skills needed to launch fulfilling careers.

To read the full article, click here.

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Press Release: ICD Launches Initial Phase of a Planned Citywide Initiative to Help Youth with Disabilities Transition from School to Career

The Initial Phase Consists of a Pilot Program in Partnership with Discovery High School in the Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens

New York, NY – September 28, 2022 – The Institute for Career Development (ICD) announced today the launch of the initial phase of a planned citywide initiative to help youth with disabilities transition from school to career. Tens of thousands of students with disabilities leave public high schools every year only to find themselves face to face with a gap where the services they depended upon to finish school had previously been. This new initiative, created by ICD while working with the nonprofit consulting firm The Bridgespan Group, is designed to bridge this gap by providing services that enhance college and career opportunities for youth with disabilities. 

The initial phase of this initiative consists of a pilot program in partnership with Discovery High School in the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx and Richmond Hill High School in Queens. With the start of the new school year, ICD now has on-site at each school a full-time “Navigator” available to work with any student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan to prepare the student to make the jump to college or vocational training and embark upon a career. The Navigators, whose services are available at no cost to students or schools, will guide students around obstacles and over hurdles as they work to build skills needed to launch fulfilling careers.

The Navigators are supported by ICD’s full-time Transition Services Manager. She will split her time between school sites, amplifying the services provided by the Navigators and operating as the primary point of contact for school staff and parents of program participants. ICD staff will also work with each school to develop employer partners within their communities to provide work experiences for their students.

“ICD is excited to be working with Discovery High School and Richmond Hill High School to launch this much-needed new initiative,” said Diosdado Gica, ICD President of Programs and Operations.

“This new initiative will help students with disabilities to better understand how to advocate for themselves and successfully navigate their way through the complex systems of services and supports available to them after they leave school,” said Joseph T. McDonald, ICD President of Development and Communications. “It offers enormous potential to build the self-confidence, resilience, and agency that they will need to overcome the biases and barriers to employment that they will face as adults.”

“Discovery High School is excited to be one of the two schools launching this new citywide initiative,” said Rolando Rivera, Principal of Discovery High School. “We are pleased that the benefits are already flowing to our students, and we hope that our school’s participation will enable this pilot program to expand throughout the city.”

“Richmond Hill High School is pleased to help launch this new initiative,” said Neil Ganesh, Principal of Richmond Hill High School. “It offers long-term, holistic support to our students through their high school years and beyond that we believe will lead to greater self-determination, better economic mobility, and improved overall well-being.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.

About ICD
The Institute for Career Development is a New York City-based, not-for-profit, workforce development organization, whose mission is to help people transform their lives through career development and employment. A leader in the field of vocational rehabilitation since its founding in 1917, ICD specializes in serving people with barriers to employment – providing vocational evaluation, career planning services, job skills training programs, internships, and job placement services to youth and adults with disabilities.

About Discovery High School

Discovery High School’s mission is to prepare students for the rigor of college and life after high school. Students learn how to learn, how to think about their own thinking, and how to acquire the necessary skills they will need to be successful in the world of tomorrow.

About Richmond Hill High School

Richmond Hill High School’s mission is to promote young adults who are happy, goal-oriented, well-adjusted, and academically prepared to face the challenges of the future and to contribute significantly to societal progress.

Center for an Urban Future Features ICD's Co-President, Dio Gica, in a Recent Report

ICD's Co-President, Dio Gica, was featured in Center for an Urban Future's most recent report titled, "City of Aspiration: 150 Ideas From New Yorkers for Building a More Equitable NYC."

The report offers 150 concrete ideas from New Yorkers and experts across various fields, including Mr. Gica, for building a more equitable, just, and inclusive New York City for all.

To read the full report, click here.

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