Museum of Disability History

The Museum of Disability History was a museum related to the history of people with disabilities from medieval times to the present era. At its premises at 201 I.U. Willets Rd. in Albertson, New York, US, it was the only "brick-and-mortar" museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to preserving the history of people with disabilities. The bricks-and-mortar museum closed in December 2020, but the museum continued operating as of 2024 as a virtual museum.

History of the museum

People Inc. first organized the idea for the Museum of Disability History in 1998 after James Boles, Ed.D. President and CEO of People Inc. discovered there was no museum or single education resource to send students to learn about the history of people with disabilities. On December 4, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum announced its permanent closure due to the "lack of adequate dedicated funding."

Collections

The museum had exhibits, collections, archives and educational program. They held rare books, historic artifacts utilized by people with disabilities, and many primary sources and archival materials, the earliest dating to 1750. Included in the museum's collection was a 1963 Greaves Thundersley Invacar, the only known Invacar in North America.

Exhibits

The Museum of Disability History offered many on-site and traveling exhibitions, with various artifacts. The building closed in December 2020, and the traveling exhibitions were suspended.

Virtual Disability History Museum

There is also a virtual Disability History Museum, available online only, active as of 2024.

External links

• Official website