Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) in collaboration with Gellen Law PLLC will host a live discussion platform for families of students with disabilities to discuss the educational impacts of COVID-19. The presentation: Special Education in the time of COVID-19 will take place on April 22 beginning at 9:00 AM. TRI Special Education Advocates, Karen Lynch and Jennifer O’Neill will present and participants can register by using following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85606540155
“COVID-19 presents a unique crisis for many students with disabilities,” states TRI Executive Director, Lisa Tarricone. “Students with intellectual and visual disabilities and those on the autism spectrum are disproportionately impacted by inaccessible virtual platforms and the lack of individualized instruction,” she says.
Lynch and O’Neill support and work with the parents of students with disabilities to assist them with navigating through the school system, and find that advocacy services and legal support are especially essential during these difficult times. “Some of our parents have raised concerns about how to attend a meeting by phone and/or video. Unfamiliarity with technology, lack of personal communication and/or disability may pose additional challenges or barriers for some of the individuals and families we work with,” says O’Neill.
The interactive presentation will provide legal guidance and advocacy strategies to address some of these concerns.
Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) was founded in 1986 and is Dutchess County’s leading disability advocacy organization, dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to lead self-directed lives. TRI works within the community to provide disability awareness and advocacy for the removal of barriers.