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.

Search for Services

Who

Who are you seeking services for?

What

What type of services are you looking for?

Where

Where are you seeking services?

Who

What

Where

March 2026

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  • 2026 Dutchess County Special Olympics Polar Plunges
2
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 3 - 5)
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
3
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • TRI Independent Living & Life Success Skills- Utilizing Public Transportation
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 6 - 9)
  • Think Ahead: Information sessions for Prospective Students
4
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
  • Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification Webinar
  • The Sensory Space: Level Up!
5
  • LifePlan CCONY 2026 Provider Relations Virtual Summit
  • Think Ahead: Information sessions for Prospective Students
  • The Sensory Space: Glow on Girl!
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
6
7
  • The Panto Company- The Jungle Book! - A Sensory Friendly Performance
  • Giving Tree Counseling- Melting Away the Winter
8
9
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 3 - 5)
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
  • Odyssey Church Fun Night
10
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • TRI- Independent Living & Life Success Skills- Resume Writing and Community Supports
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop- VIRTUAL Meeting
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 6 - 9)
11
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
12
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
13
  • From Adolescence to Adulthood- Teaching Skills for Behavior, Independence, Safety and Sexuality in IDD
  • Save the Date: Rally in the Valley for Disability Rights
14
  • Ramapo CONNECT Press, Print, & Create
  • i2Evolve Open House Party for All Abilities
15
16
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 3 - 5)
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
17
  • HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 6 - 9)
18
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
  • Social Security Work Incentives- Taconic Resources for Independence
19
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
20
21
  • Hidden Hollow Farms Egg Hunts (sensory friendly and regular)
22
  • “She’s the Boss” Conference
  • Brain Injury Support Group
23
  • The Sensory Space: Club Connect (Ages 3 - 5)
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
24
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop- IN PERSON
25
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
26
  • Speak in One Voice- Taconic Resources Special Education Support Group
  • East Fishkill Library: All Abilities Social Hour
  • Sensory Stepping Stones Parent Support Series
27
28
  • Town of Beekman Sensory Friendly Egg Hunt (ages 1-10 ONLY)
29
30
  • Sensory Space PK- Spring Break Pokemon Mini Camp
  • Alpha Center Spring Break Camp
  • In Flight/Standing Room Only PLUS- Wizard of Oz production classes
31
  • Alpha Center Spring Break Camp
  • Dover Plains Library: All Abilities Adult Social Hour

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments

Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Thank You for 10 Years!

2025 marked 10 years of the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative in Dutchess County. It was a year of new events (Farm Day [ …Read More ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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. 

View All Inspired Thinkers