POUGHKEEPSIE – As Dutchess County recognized International Day of People with Disability Thursday, County Executive Marc Molinaro and Deputy Commissioner for Special Needs Toni-Marie Ciarfella hosted the county’s fourth annual Collaboration of Services and Care Across the Life Span for People with Special Needs, a day-long ThinkDIFFERENTLY conference that brings together local families of those living with disabilities and local providers who serve them to assist in the planning process for lifelong care of those with developmental and other disabilities.
This year’s event was presented online to comply with social-distancing guidelines and the prohibition on large gatherings, resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The virtual event provided education and training for families and providers to understand the continuum of care for individuals of every ability.
“Parents like myself, who love a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, must plan for a lifetime of care, an undertaking that can be difficult given the seemingly endless network of providers, assessments and eligibility requirements,” said County Executive Marcus Molinaro. “Our annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY conference brings families together with providers to inform them about the continuity of care that will be needed as their loved one ages and help them make connections that will last throughout their loved one’s life. The relationships built at today’s conference will benefit those with disabilities and their families for years to come, and Dutchess County is proud to facilitate those introductions as we continue to ThinkDIFFERENTLY about our friends and neighbors of every ability.”
Established by Molinaro in 2015, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations and communities relate to individuals with disabilities. Following Dutchess County’s example, more than 100 municipalities throughout New York State – and several others across the nation – have passed ThinkDIFFERENTLY resolutions, committing to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all abilities.
More information about Dutchess County’s efforts to ThinkDIFFERENTLY, as well as ways communities can be more supportive of those of every ability, is available at the County’s award-winning website, thinkdifferently.net.
