History

Founder Jeremiah Milbank, Sr., looks at plans for a new ICD building with two children in 1962.
Founder Jeremiah Milbank, Sr., looks at plans for a new ICD building with pediatric patients in 1962.
In 1917, noted philanthropist Jeremiah Milbank, Sr. founded ICD to serve the rehabilitative needs of returning veterans of World War I. ICD became the first outpatient rehabilitation center in the United States and enabled thousands of veterans to regain their independence and re-enter the workforce.

Since then, ICD has pioneered innovative programs for individuals with disabilities and other rehabilitative and developmental needs. Over the course of nine decades, we have served more than a quarter of a million people residing in all five boroughs of New York City. Distinguished guests, including U.S. presidents, world leaders, entertainment celebrities, and disability rights activists have visited our organization and voiced their support for ICD and the people we serve.

Today, after nearly 90 years and over 8 million client visits, ICD remains committed to the same mission we set for our organization in 1917: to provide comprehensive services that help maximize an individual's full potential.

Some ICD Firsts

  • 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 prosthetics workshop at ICD in its early years. In 1955, ICD established the first comprehensive training program for orthotics and prosthetics personnel to ease a worldwide shortage of skilled care.
The prosthetics workshop at ICD in its earliest years. By 1955, ICD had established the first comprehensive training program for orthotics and prosthetics personnel to ease a worldwide shortage of skilled care.

Babe Ruth poses with ICD clients.
Baseball great Babe Ruth poses with ICD clients.

President Eisenhower visits on Institute Day in 1948.
President Eisenhower visits on ICD Institute Day in 1948.

Herbert Hoover meets an ICD client, flanked by Margaret Milbank Bogert, daughter of the founder, in 1949.
President Herbert Hoover meets an ICD client, flanked by Margaret Milbank Bogert, daughter of the founder, in 1949.

President Truman awards ICD’s George E. Barr the 1951 President’s Award in honor of his outstanding contribution to the employment of disabled individuals.
President Truman awards ICD’s George E. Barr the 1951 President’s Award in honor of his outstanding contribution to the employment of people with disabilities.

Dave Garroway of the Today Show serves Thanksgiving dinner to ICD clients in 1956.
Dave Garroway of the Today Show serves Thanksgiving dinner to ICD clients in 1956.

In 1970, Jerry Milbank and Margaret Milbank Bogert, son and daughter of the founder, meet with President Nixon in the Oval Office.
In 1970, Jeremiah Milbank, Jr. and Margaret Milbank Bogert, son and daughter of the founder, meet with President Nixon in the Oval Office.

Danny Kaye, Laurence S. Rockefeller, Margaret Milbank Bogert and H. Lawrence Bogert (husband of Margaret) at the 1982 ICD awards dinner.
Danny Kaye, Laurance S. Rockefeller and Margaret Milbank Bogert at the 1982 ICD awards dinner.

George Bush talks with Jerry Milbank and Jerry Bogert (grandson of the founder) during an ICD conference in 1983.
George Bush talks with Jerry Milbank and Jerry Bogert (grandson of the founder) during an ICD conference in 1983.

Nancy Reagan and Jerry Milbank at the 1984 ICD awards dinner.
Nancy Reagan and Jerry Milbank at the 1984 ICD awards dinner.

The ICD Freedom of the Human Spirit Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in 1996.
The ICD Freedom of the Human Spirit Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in 1996.

The 2000 graduating class of ICD’s vocational services.
The 2000 graduating class of ICD’s vocational services.