Dutchess Disability Advocacy Partnership (DDAP)

Dutchess Disability Advocacy Partnership (DDAP) is dedicated to promoting and maintaining systems advocacy efforts that will result in improving and enhancing the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in Dutchess County. The overarching goal of DDAP is to promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of community life in Dutchess County.

Dutchess Disability Advocacy Partnership (DDAP) was founded in November of 2021 and is co-chaired by TRI Executive Director Lisa Tarricone and John Rossi, a local advocate.

Dutchess residents with disabilities continue to face barriers to community-based care, affordable and accessible housing, civil rights protection, equitable public education, public transportation, accessible voting systems and employment opportunities, which preclude their full participation in all aspects of community life. Although the county has several non-profit associations, agencies and advocates addressing these barriers, there are few opportunities for these entities to collaborate with one another to share resources and information.

DDAP’s long term goal is to link these advocacy entities and individuals across the county in order to establish a network for collaboration, communication and support in addressing the common goals and challenges shared within their collective constituencies.

For more information please contact John Rossi at johnrossijr@gmail.com