By
Brightway
Long Island’s DDI celebrates 65 years of service and announces a new name, Brightway Living and Learning, that honors the journey ahead.
Sixty-five years ago, a small group of dedicated families came together with a simple but powerful belief: that every person, regardless of ability, deserves a life of dignity, connection, and possibility. What began as a quiet act of advocacy has evolved through several historical chapters into a cornerstone of the Long Island community. Today, as it marks its 65th anniversary, the organization is taking its most intentional step forward yet: transitioning from Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) to Brightway Living & Learning.
“For over six and a half decades, families have trusted us with the moments that matter most,” said Kim M. Kubasek, CEO of Brightway. “Our original mission hasn’t changed, but our compassion ever grows. Brightway is more than a new name; it is the next chapter that honors our history while illuminating a deliberate, joyful path forward for every person we support.”
Today, Brightway stands as an institutional leader in person-centered support, advocacy, and research. Driven by a dedicated workforce of over 2,500 professionals, the agency supports 1,600 children and adults daily across more than 65 locations throughout Long Island.
The new identity, Brightway, reflects the optimism that has defined the organization since 1961. The "Living & Learning" philosophy emphasizes that support is not a clinical destination, but a lifelong journey—spanning from early childhood services to adult residential support and the dignity of meaningful work for adults.
For Joseph W. Schmidt, Brightway Board Chairperson and the father of a son in one of the agency’s residences, the rebrand carries a deeply personal weight.
“I lead with the mind of a Board Chair, but I see this mission through the heart of a father,” said Schmidt. “DDI provided my family with a foundation of safety and expertise for decades. As we become Brightway, we are reaffirming a promise to the next generation of families: that their loved ones will always have a place where they belong, flourish, and move forward.”
Throughout April and May, Brightway is celebrating this milestone through a series of community gatherings, partner events, and shared moments that honor both the past and the future. Highlights include a community-wide Field Day, a 65th Anniversary brunch celebration, and a time capsule. These events celebrate a legacy of impact and efficiency, where 91 cents of every dollar goes directly back into the programs and supports that empower the individuals they support. The official anniversary date falls on May 22nd, when the full story of Brightway will be amplified across all channels.
For more information about Brightway, visit brightwayny.org or follow along at @brightwayny across all major social channels.
ABOUT BRIGHTWAY
Brightway Living & Learning is a premier non-profit provider of human services on Long Island, including educational, residential, day habilitation, and vocational programs. Building on a 65-year legacy as the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Brightway supports over 1,600 children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities through a full continuum of care. By employing persistence, adaptability, and the power of behavioral science, Brightway’s dedicated professionals enable individuals to grow, learn, and meet milestones at their own pace. Discover more about our mission and our "All Ways Forward" approach at brightwayny.org.
