Category: Media

All media that includes Op/ed Commentaries, TRI in the News and Press Releases written that will be archived indefinitely

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events events list Featured Posts

PEP: SPEAK IN ONE VOICE, PARENT AND CAREGIVER ADVOCACY ON FORMING PARENT NETWORKING GROUPS WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

Special Education Parent Empowerment Program
February 26th, 2025 at 9:30AM

This workshop will present an overview of Advocacy and Parent/Caregiver to Parent/Caregiver Networking, Direction on starting a Parent Group,
(SEPTA, PTO, or informal groups)

What is the Special Education Parent Empowerment Program?
Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) is a program at Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI). PEP provides training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22. TRI’s Special Education program offers specialized and collaborative advocacy training, parent-to-parent networking and support, information, and referral services.

Click the flyer below for a PDF copy

Click link for the PDF copy of this PEP Workshop Flyer
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Media Op/Ed Commentaries

Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. Condemns Trump Blaming Disability Hiring Initiatives for Fatal Crash

During a Jan. 30 press briefing on the fatal collision of a passenger plane and a military helicopter killing all 67 people involved, President Trump blamed the crash on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hiring policies increasing employment for people with disabilities. This is unacceptable conduct on every single level, from undermining the capabilities people with disabilities have, to the grieving families wanting to hear concrete answers. The comments made by the chief citizen of the U.S. underscore how difficult our work will be over the next several years to protect, preserve, and strengthen disability rights.
According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Labor just over 21% of people with disabilities are employed, to just over 65% of non-disabled people having a job. The Trump comments will only decrease disability employment if we collectively are not calling out this hateful, inaccurate, and unacceptable conduct.
We will continue supporting federal advocacy efforts with our national partners and coordinating statewide advocacy opportunities protecting and strengthening disability rights.

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events events list Featured Posts

Unlocking Opportunities: Employment, Job Training, and ACCES-VR Services (ages 14+)

Join Us for Support, Education and Community!

Two sessions will be offered on Tuesday, February 25th. Click on one of the times below to REGISTER in advance for the Zoom Meeting.

In this FREE webinar, you will hear an overview of ACCES-VR, including the description of PreEmployment Transition Services, available for students with disabilities ages 14 and older.

Adult Career and Continuing Education ServicesVocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities should have opportunities to work in
jobs within their communities and can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services.

The workshop will be presented by LaQuesha Matthews-Reed, Integrated Employment Specialist Business Relation Team Member ACCES VR, and David Lee, Senior Rehabilitation Vocational Counselor Transition and Youth Service ACCES VR.

Click on the flyer below for a printable PDF copy:

Join Us for Support, Education and Community! Unlocking Opportunities: Employment, Job Training, and Adult Career & Continuing Education Services- Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) Services. Tuesday February 25th at 9:30am or 6:30pm. In this FREE webinar, you will hear an overview of ACCES-VR, including the description of PreEmployment Transition Services, available for students with disabilities ages 14 and older. Adult Career and Continuing Education ServicesVocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities should have opportunities to work in jobs within their communities and can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services. The workshop will be presented by LaQuesha Matthews-Reed, Integrated Employment Specialist Business Relation Team Member ACCES VR, and David Lee, Senior Rehabilitation Vocational Counselor Transition and Youth Service ACCES VR.
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advocacy updates events events list Media

Family Empowerment Advocacy Series

“I WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS SOONER”

Understanding Your Child’s Rights & Responsibilities Under Special Education Law

CLICK HERE for a *printable copy of the flyer

Parents and family members, join us for this FREE in-depth training to learn about your child’s rights, the special education process, and how to effectively advocate for your child and other children. Topics include: Educational Records Binder, Advocacy & Effective Communication, Levels of Intervention & the Continuum of Services, NYS Rules & Regulations, All About the IEP, Understanding Evaluations, Services & Accommodations, Assistive Technology, Transition, Come Ask the Advocate Q&A session and much, much more.

Zoom Training (Wednesdays)
January 8th, 2025
January 15th, 2025
January 22nd, 2025
January 29th, 2025
February 5th, 2025
February 12th, 2025
You may register for morning, evening, or both
Morning: 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Evening: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

For questions, contact dgreen@putnamils.org or frattray@putnamils.org

Guest Speakers:
Renee Falanga-Brenner, Resource Center for Assisted Living
Jennifer O’Neill, Taconic Resources for Independence
Patricia Lucio-Penn, Taconic Resources for Independence
Diane Troeller, My Independent Living
Melinda Dolezal, TRAID Center
Adrienne Arkontaky, Esq., The Arkontaky Law Group
Sandi Rosenbaum, Littman Krooks LLP
Gideon Porter, Esq., Barger & Gaines LLP
Speakers & Facilitators from WILC/PILS:
Denise Green, Parent Training Information Coordinator
Fiona Rattray, Parent Training & Information Specialist

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Featured Posts Media Uncategorized

TRI on Radio Kingston!

Patricia Lucio-Penn, Bilingual Spanish Special Education Advocate with Taconic Resources for Independence (TRI), was pleased to be asked to speak with Mariel Fiori of Radio Kingston and La Voz on the last segment of their Day of Education and Family on 11/13/24 https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/la-voz-con-mariel-fiori/episodes/our-solution-to-alcoholism

“We discussed resources and stressed the importance of families advocating for their children’s educational rights to free and appropriate public education programs and how to share parents’ concerns with the school personnel and school districts. Hispanic communities sometimes tend to not question teachers or school officials and wait for them to tell families when and what needs to be done if issues or problems arise. I provided resources available through TRI and RCAL and stressed the importance of not waiting. If parents have concerns that are impacting their child’s learning and these have been communicated to the child’s teacher and there is no progress, move to the next steps and start the process of requesting evaluations and additional support, including if needed seeking Special Education advocacy support.”

Patricia was invited back to Radio Kingston to speak with Mariel Fiori and will visit in person on 12/17/24 at 10:14 a.m. Discussions will include information on the new Parent Empowerment Program and Support Group, which is part of our Special Education Advocacy Program at Taconic Resources for Independence Inc.