The New Jersey Institute for Disabilities (formerly the Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County) was established in 1949. During these 72 years, there have only been three chief executives… and Dominic Ursino has led the Agency for 50 years. Clearly the development of  NJID reflects the progressive vision, strategic planning and dedication set forth by Mr. Ursino who shepherded the Agency’s transformative growth and expansion. Throughout this time, he created an exceptional infrastructure of programs and facilities to serve persons with disabilities.

Mr. Ursino recognized that the heart of any program are the employees - the dedicated men and women who work with great skill and deep compassion to carry forth the NJID mission. The management team were always encouraged to think outside the box and to bring new ideas and innovations to the table so that programs were continually refreshed and relevant. Mr. Ursino set the highest standards of work ethic and integrity and he taught by example. And as NJID expanded, Mr. Ursino always sought to maintain the feeling of “family” among the staff because he knew this was an important element to the satisfaction and fulfillment of every person employed by the Agency.

In 1972, when Mr. Ursino was appointed to lead the then Cerebral Palsy Association, it had a budget of $169,000 and twenty-six employees who provided limited services to children with cerebral palsy. All of that changed with Mr. Ursino at the helm!

Mr. Ursino immediately recognized that two age brackets, infants and adults were underserved.  With a grant from the prestigious Fannie Ripple Foundation, Mr. Ursino established the first early intervention center in New Jersey- and one of the first five centers in the nation. The early intervention program was named The Children’s Center and the outcomes for the served infants were immediate and measurable. Parents confronted with the challenge of caring for a young child with delays or disabilities were no longer alone- there was help and hope. Strong family education and support provided the safety net so desperately needed. Now, four decades later, The Children’s Center, which annually serves more than 350 children and their families, proves time and again that the more services an infant receives early in life, the less services will be needed later. 

In the early seventies, adults with disabilities had few community program alternatives. Most were either homebound or living in state facilities. Employment opportunities, community activities and choices in living arrangements were virtually nonexistent. All of that would soon shift as Mr. Ursino sought out a grant from the federal Department of Health Education and Welfare and established the first work activity training center in New Jersey for adults with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. So successful was this program that soon other non-profits would replicate it through State funding. Increasing numbers of adults with disabilities availed themselves of much needed services. In 1985, to serve adults with severe medical and physical needs, Mr. Ursino established the first special needs training center in New Jersey. Today, the highly accredited New Jersey Institute for Disabilities’ Adult Day programs serves adults with multiple disabilities in five program sites. 

In 1980, Mr. Ursino established the first group home in New Jersey for adults with cerebral palsy, and in 1984 he established the first medical model group home for adults with serious medical needs. Finally, adults with physical disabilities were able to assume their rightful place in society; living and working in a community with the dignity which is their inherent right. Today, NJID operates a network of more than 25 homes and apartments located throughout New Jersey.

While the needs of infants and adults with disabilities were being addressed, Mr. Ursino was certain not to shortchange the many school age children with disabilities. The Lakeview School, an approved private school for students ages three to twenty-one years, was fast becoming the program of choice for children with multiple disabilities. To make advances in technology readily available to the students, in 1977 Mr. Ursino created the first Non-Vocal Augmentative Communication Evaluation Center in New Jersey for children and adults with speech and communication disabilities. Five years later, the doors to the first Seating and Adaptive Equipment and Enabling Technology Center in central Jersey were opened.  In 1994, the Lakeview School was expanded to a 60,000 square foot state- of-the-art facility and was awarded the prestigious Middle States accreditation, which has been maintained with high commendations. In 2000, the Lakeview School was once again expanded with 5,000 square feet devoted to early childhood development. Today, the Lakeview School has earned a national reputation of excellence and distinction regarding the incomparable array of services offered in a state-of-the-art facility.

Recognizing the need for a community response to growing social changes, in 2005 NJID established the AmeriCorps program as the first in the nation dedicated to serving persons with disabilities. In 2009, the NJID-Alianza was funded as a Project of National Significance by the US Department of Health & Human Services. Alianza offered an original approach to serving teens with disabilities and their families in primarily Hispanic communities. A companion program, Alianza Emergency Preparedness was commended by President Barack Obama for innovative initiatives in disaster readiness for persons with disabilities. 

With a distinguished 72 year history, the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities stands among the premier agencies of its kind in the nation. No longer limited to serving clients with cerebral palsy, the Agency’s five hundred employees serve infants, children and adults with a myriad of disabilities. In 2022, NJID’s budget was set at $41 million, and more than 1,500 clients from twelve New Jersey counties are served.

In addition to his work at NJID, Dominic Ursino also has an unparalleled record of community service; his advocacy for persons with disabilities is without peer. Mr. Ursino has served as:

• Charter member and Founder of the Middlesex County Commission on the Handicapped
• Past President of the Board of Directors for Housing Alternatives for the Disabled
• Member of the Advisory Board of the Middlesex County Area Wide Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Citizens
• Member and Delegate for the White House Conference on the Disabled
• Executive Planning Committee of the United Way of Central Jersey
• Founding member of the Advisory Board of the Academic Center on Developmental Disabilities of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Founding and Charter member of the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled of the New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate
• Chair of the Middlesex County Compliance Committee concerning barrier-free county facilities; Design team for the creation of the Level Playing Field, a fully accessible recreational facility which is the first of its kind in the nation.
• Associate member of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
• Past President of the Middlesex County Conference of Executives
• Past President of ASAH (The Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped)

The leadership and vision of Dominic Ursino are uncommon. From his earliest days, Nick took on a leadership role as advocate for persons with disabilities. This was always the core of his life’s work. Mr. Ursino shared his passion and compassion working so that no person is disenfranchised… so that everyone has their rightful place within the community… so that no one is defined by disability. This is the everlasting legacy of Dominic Ursino and he inspires us all to continue his work.