About Able News
Able News at The Viscardi Center is an independent news outlet and monthly digital publication covering issues that matter to people with disabilities. Through original reporting, Able News informs and amplifies the voices of the diverse, vibrant disability community and serves as one of the few news sources dedicated to disability coverage.
Published by The Viscardi Center, a Long Island-based network of nonprofit organizations that educates, employs and empowers children and adults with disabilities, the publication was originally established as Able Newspaper in 1991 by Angela Miele Melledy.
Able News reaches readers through its digital publication, an updated website, a biweekly e-newsletter and social media, providing timely news and information to people with disabilities, their families, related professionals and the broader disability community. Our platforms also provide advertisers with a unique opportunity to connect directly with an audience primarily based in the New York City metropolitan area and Long Island, while also reaching readers interested in disability issues nationwide.
Central to Able News’ mission is featuring reporting that includes the voices and perspectives of writers with disabilities. Our coverage spans disability policy and legislation, employment, education, technology, healthcare and accessibility, as well as arts and culture, community news and things to do, as well as the people and organizations making an impact. Thank you for sharing in our story.
Our Team
Joie Tyrrell
Editor
Joie Tyrrell is an award-winning journalist with decades of experience covering education, healthcare, and other critical topics for publications and nonprofits of all sizes. She has reported for outlets in Arizona, North Carolina, New Jersey, and most recently, Newsday.
A graduate of Arizona State University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, she’s honored to be part of the Able News team.
Neil Esposito
Designer
Christopher Alvarez
Staff Writer
Wendy Kates
Advertising Sales
Editorial Advisory Board
Marci Alboher
Vice President, CoGenerate
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Marci Alboher is an author-speaker and VP at CoGenerate, a nonprofit working to bridge generational divides. She has written two books that explore new models for working today, The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life, and One Person/Multiple Careers: The Original Guide to the Slash “/” Career. Marci lives in New York City with her husband Jay and their rescue French Bulldog Borscht Belt (aka Borschie).
Alex Garrett
Henry Viscardi School, Class of 2009
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As someone who grew up attending HVS from kindergarten through graduating high school, Alex Garrett is very honored to bring his podcast expertise to the Editorial Advisory Board and looks forward to bridging the gap of accessibility through Able News.
Barbara Fishkin
Author and Journalist
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Barbara Fischkin is the author of three books of narrative nonfiction and auto-fiction published by Scribner and a Random House imprint. She worked as a journalist-internationally and in New York. She has taught journalism at three universities.
Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad
Founder, Accessible Travel NYC
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Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad is a dedicated marketer and educator with over two decades of experience in the travel and tourism sector, specializing in disability inclusion and marketing to individuals with disabilities. She founded AccessibleTravelNYC.com to address the lack of marketing aimed at disabled visitors to New York City, fostering an environment of empowerment and accessibility. Beyond her website, Lakshmee collaborates with major New York attractions and serves on several boards, using her platform to advocate for disability pride and inclusion across various organizations.
Jenna Natale
Owner - BIZTALKLI
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Jenna Natale is the associate executive director of the Moxxie Mentoring Foundation, a Long Island-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering the career advancement and leadership development of young women and women in job transition. In her role, she focuses on spearheading new initiatives, growing the organization’s core programs and expanding the organization’s reach across the Long Island business sector. Natale is also owner of media consultancy firm BIZTALKLI, where she collaborates with outlets and organizations to deliver content and media expertise.
Bernadette Starzee
Freelance Journalist
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Bernadette Starzee is an award-winning business journalist and editor with more than 20 years of experience covering law, real estate, education, nonprofits, finance and health care. She began her career in consumer magazines, serving as managing editor of Ski Magazine and editor in chief of Modern Bride’s regional wedding publications, before transitioning to business writing. She served as special sections editor at the Long Island Business News for many years and has contributed articles, blogs and other content to various publications and corporate clients.
Kristine Welker
Equality & Diversity Advisor
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Welker is a seasoned media executive with 25 years of experience, known for her purpose-driven leadership and commitment to inspiring others. Recently, she served as Interim CEO and board member for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, focusing on social change and corporate responsibility. Previously, she spent nearly two decades at Hearst Corporation, where she held key roles including Chief Revenue Officer of Hearst Digital Media and Founding Publisher of Dr. Oz The Good Life and CosmoGIRL!.
Janine Werner, Ed.D.
Retiree - NYC Dept of Education
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Dr. Werner is a retired NYC Department of Education principal with over 30 years’ experience in the field of education, with a specialization in Special Education. She is currently a yoga therapy candidate with the Prema Institute.