Dutchess Celebrates Decade of ThinkDIFFERENTLY
County initiative has become a statewide example for inclusiveness, disability acceptance

POUGHKEEPSIE … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and Dutchess County Government marked the 10th anniversary of the County’s successful ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative with a special  commemoration last Friday at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, as part of the annual complimentary, sensory-friendly presentation of holiday classic ballet, “The Nutcracker.”

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “For the past 10 years, ThinkDIFFERENTLY has made Dutchess County a more welcoming and inclusive place for everyone and aligns with our ‘Think Accessible’ initiative. This milestone is a chance to celebrate the progress we’ve made in promoting kindness and respect for people of every ability. Looking ahead, we remain committed to building on these values, creating more support, opportunities and ways for all our neighbors to fully participate in their community and thrive.”

ThinkDIFFERENTLY encourages residents, businesses, organizations and municipalities to adopt a welcoming and inclusive approach toward those with disabilities. Conceived by then-County Executive Marc Molinaro in 2015, the initiative has guided significant enhancements in inclusiveness, strengthened community collaborations and expanded programming designed to support individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as their families over the past decade 

More than 100 communities across New York State – and several others across the nation – have warmly embraced the overarching philosophy of ThinkDIFFERENTLY, inspiring their own communities, businesses and organizations to be more inclusive and supportive of people with disabilities.

County Executive Serino joined All Abilities Program Director Dana Hopkins, former County Executive Molinaro, families, community partners and disability service organizations Friday to reflect on how far the initiative has come since its launch in 2015.

Serino’s Think Accessible initiative expands the ThinkDIFFERENTLY efforts by raising awareness about physical disabilities and encouraging efforts to help small businesses and municipalities make their locations more accessible.   The County Executive  
announced the first round of local businesses to earn Think Accessible Community Certification earlier this month. 

Additionally, Dutchess County Government has supported the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative in many ways over the past 10 years, including, among others:

• Reducing employment barriers for people with disabilities through its 55-a program, which allows qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities to be appointed to civil service jobs without taking the standard competitive civil service exam;
   
• Hosting the annual “Think Jobs” roundtable forums to bring together businesses, employers and disability advocates to highlight the benefits of hiring people of all abilities, break down barriers and recognize inclusive employers;
   
• Investing in accessible infrastructure and universal design elements – including curb cuts, wheelchair ramps, accessible playground equipment and the like – through its Community Development Block Grant program;
   
• Hosting a multitude of inclusive events, including sensory-friendly picnics, a sensory-sensitive morning at the Dutchess County Fair and adaptive film screenings with lowered volume and raised lights to ensure individuals of all abilities feel welcome to enjoy a day at the movies;
   
• Funding Autism Supportive Environment Training, through a partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism, to assist businesses in designing an environment supports the needs of individuals with autism and their families; and
   
• Partnering with Dutchess Community College to establish the popular “Think Ahead” program, a two-year, non-degree experience that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build life, social and job skills through coursework and on-campus internships.

At the conclusion of Friday’s brief recognition event, hundreds of attendees enjoyed an hour-long, no-shush performance of “The Nutcracker,” performed by the New Paltz Ballet Theatre. Bardavon staff adjusted the lights and sound to offer a relaxed, supportive environment and a comfortable experience for attendees with sensory sensitivities.

Information about additional inclusive events is available on Dutchess County’s award-winning website, thinkdifferently.net.