ThinkDIFFERENTLY is a call to action, established in 2015 by former County Executive Marc Molinaro, to create a supportive and welcoming environment for those living with disabilities.   We have been inspired by the community response! This website is designed to be a starting point to find the services and connections you and your family need.

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Community Calendar ( List View )

  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations January 10, 2026  10:00 am - 11:30 am 160 Old Orange Ave, Walden, NY 12586, USA

    Connecting Caregivers and Providers for Inclusive Support

    Join Taconic Innovations for an inspiring and collaborative gathering bringing together caregivers, service providers, and community partners who support individuals with disabilities. 

    For: 
    DSPs, Program Managers
    Caregivers, Family Members
    Case Managers and Coordinators
    Community and Healthcare Providers 

    RSVP to Info@taconicinnovations.com 

    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

January 2026

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations
4
5
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
6
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • OPWDD Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC) Meeting
7
  • OPWDD Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Advisory Board Meeting
  • Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification Webinar
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10
  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations
  • Ramapo CONNECT
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12
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
  • Odyssey Church Fun Night
13
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop- VIRTUAL Meeting
  • Financial Planning Series (Part 1)
14
  • Understanding Your Child's IEP Workshop
  • The Sensory Space: Level Up!
15
  • ADAPT Network- Summer Options for Young People with Disabilities
  • Getting Started with the Residential Process: Tips, Tricks, and Information
  • Strengthening the Family System Series (De-escalation Techniques for the Whole Family)
  • Strengthening the Family System Series (De-escalation Techniques for the Whole Family)
  • The Sensory Space: Glow on Girl!
  • Planning for Two Lifetimes: Creating Financial Security for You & Your Family
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  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations
18
19
  • COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
20
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 6 - 9)
21
  • Social Security Work Incentives- Taconic Resources for Independence
  • The Sensory Space: Level Up!
22
  • Guardianship Training: A Parent's Roadmap
  • The Sensory Space: Glow on Girl!
23
24
  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations
25
  • Brain Injury Support Group
26
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 3 - 5)
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
27
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop- IN PERSON
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 6 - 9)
28
  • The Sensory Space: Level Up!
29
  • The Sensory Space: Glow on Girl!
30
  • Community Resource Day: Medicare & Mobility
31
  • Empowerment Meet Up- Taconic Innovations
  • i2Evolve Art Studio All Abilities Open HOuse

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments

Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dutchess County Tourism and Wheel the World Videos of Accessibility

Dutchess County Tourism is excited to share with you the two industry and consumer videos produced in partnership with Wheel [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Flourishing Farmers 4H event held 4/2/2023

“Thank you both for such a wonderful event today.  I love that you have made it possible for children of [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visits Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC

Dana Hopkins and Mara Santiago of Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visited Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC to learn more about their [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Spectrum News: Differently abled people find support with ThinkDIFFERENTLY

In December, Spectrum News interviewed Dana Hopkins, All Abilities Program Director for Dutchess County at the 6th Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Conference held at the [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Eagle Scout Project

Ryan Lugo, a John Jay High School student, recently completed his Eagle scout project! Ryan planted a garden and built [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

100 Cups of Coffee

Chief of Police, Thomas Pape attended Dutchess County’s 100 Cups of Coffee at Taconic Resources for Independence and was inspired [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Verplanck Garden Club

Verplanck Garden Club at Stony Kill Farm’s Environmental and Education Center in Wappingers Falls, NY have been maintaining the Special [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dr.  Joseph Bonanno receives award.

Dr Joseph Bonanno the Medical Director for both OPWDD Taconic Region and Arc of Dutchess was honored for his outstanding [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Coach Vincent and Jonathan “Superman” Brunot

Coach Vincent Del-Cid  is a CPA and has previously worked for JP Morgan.  Prior to meeting Jonathan “Superman” Brunot, he had [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Youth Soft Skills Empowerment & Hudson Cadillac

Emanuel Cordero, a vocational coordinator from  Youth Soft Skills Empowerment (YSSE) (left) met with Mike Mullaney, Dealer Principal (right) from [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Carnival Lion for the 2017 ThinkDIFFERENTLY Picnic

Elanor DeMan, a Roosevelt High School student and her father, Jayson DeMan created this fantastic ‘Carnival Lion’ as a bean [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Red Hook Library Creates “All Abilities Program Series”

Red Hook Public Library has created an All Abilities Program Series for families with special needs to gather and enjoy. The [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Universal Park Equipment

Congratulations to Sidney Scoralick, James Ryan and Ulises Olmedo. Special thanks to  their teacher Kimberly Sweck, Arlington High School, Teacher-Engineering and Cameron Tuller, a junior at the time, who helped  the team with the physical construction of the project. 

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