How to create a community with full access for all people

GOSHEN — Through its Community Development Block Grant program, Dutchess County has funded numerous projects in local municipalities. Julie’s Jungle is a playground with specialized equipment like ramps, a rubberized surface, short stair height, Braille play panels, and sensory garden amps enabling children with physical, visual, hearing and cognitive disorders to play. Then there's Wappinger’s Challenger Field, a handicapped-accessible baseball field where disabled youth ages 5 to 18 can participate without obstacles, thanks to smaller, synthetic infield, handicapped-accessible dugouts, parking, and restrooms.
Orange County will host a presentation by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro on his “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative, which uses community grants to expand access to families living with special needs, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the County’s Emergency Services Center auditorium, 22 Wells Farm Rd., Goshen.
The father of three children, including a daughter on the autism spectrum, Molinaro introduced “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” to Dutchess County in early 2015. Since then, the county has offered supportive training, encouraged expanded accessibility, and held special events. It's Molinaro’s call to action by local residents, organizations, and businesses to re-think the ways they relate to residents with special needs.
“Every individual of every ability deserves a community that welcomes them and supports their hopes and dreams," Molinaro said. "I hope Orange County will join our efforts to ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ about all residents.”
Through its own Community Development Block Grant Program, Orange County has supported accessibility initiatives by funding ADA projects at Tommie McDuffie Park in Blooming Grove, the Village Park in Cornwall, Brook Lake Park in Town of Highlands, Benedict Park in the Town of Montgomery, and the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center in the Town of Warwick.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said he looks forward to "welcoming my friend and colleague Marcus Molinaro to Orange County."
"County Executive Molinaro is no stranger to breaking down barriers for all people, and the ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ initiative is representative of his entire career," Neuhaus said. "He has always been an innovator and, as a leader, he has a fresh and clear vision for Dutchess County. I fully support this initiative to be inclusive of all individuals regardless of the challenges they may face.”