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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Media Press Releases

Tips on Special Education Advocacy During Covid-19

TRI hosts Informational Workshops for Parents of Students with Special Needs. Monthly workshops to address COVID-19 and its impact on students with special needs

Poughkeepsie: Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) will host a virtual workshop entitled: “Tips on Special Education Advocacy During Covid-19” on October 23rd from 7:00pm – 8:00pm to provide information and guidance to parents, family members and guardians of students with special needs during this time of extended school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   CLICK HERE to see Press Release

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TRI Delivers Essentials

Community Needs

We are pleased to report that thanks to your response to our Community Needs Survey, TRI was able to purchase essential food and personal care items, as well as provide limited cash rental support for our community members with disabilities and seniors. We were able to meet the urgent needs of 41 of our consumers and provide partial rental/household assistance to 3 individuals. This was all possible through a grant from the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley/Dutchess Responds. We successfully met the deliverables of the project objectives, which included: 1) development of a Consumer Needs Survey, utilized to assess specific needed food and supplies, 2) follow up calls to consumers to confirm the survey results, 3) purchases of food and supply items and verification of rental subsidy support funds, 4) delivery of food items to consumers and dissemination of rental support to landlords/management companies.

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Power Charging Station

As a result of the advocacy efforts of TRI in collaboration with the County Department of Community and Family Services, a charging station for power wheelchair users has been installed in the reception area of the county office building at 60 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. The charging station will provide a place for individuals with disabilities to charge their power wheelchairs and related assistive devices in the downtown area of Poughkeepsie during emergency situations. Commissioner Sabrina Jaar Marzouka, JD, MPH, sent Taconic Resources for Independence a letter stating, “Through the Think DIFFERENTLY initiative, we will continue our partnership with TRI toward ensuring persons with disabilities have access to services in our community.”

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TRI’s ADA 30 Virtual Event

Over 90 individuals Attend TRI’s Successful ADA Event!

Dutchess County Executive Marc J. Molinaro expresses his support of the Americans With Disabilities Act, TRI, Universal Access for All and to Think Differently!

Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) held a virtual event on July 31, 2020 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Lisa Tarricone, our Executive Director, welcomed everyone and introduced the video (you can click on it to view on youtube), ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary Film. The film featured individuals sharing their personal stories of how they benefitted from the provisions of the ADA, what challenges they face today, and what their aspirations are for the future. We heard Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro speak via a video he sent us (see above) in support of the ADA and TRI. Following the county executive, Geri Mariano, filmed in the video, then shared with us an update and continued challenges. Mel Tanzman a long time disability rights advocate and retired Executive Director of a disability rights organization gave us a historical background on the leaders of the disability movement like Ed Roberts, Justin Dart, Marilyn Saviola and Judy Heumann (Click here for a list of disability history references). He and Lisa Tarricone then discussed what is needed to further expand disability rights into the future. Vote, Vote, and Vote! Pledge to THINK Differently!

In closing, Lisa displayed the proclamations, certificates of recognition and statements from our Legislators and Government Leaders who support the ADA and TRI’s accomplishments. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation where they also pledge to Think Differently. It was a well-attended event with over 90 participants!  Below you can read our speakers bios, read all of the proclamations & documents from our list of supporters, listen to an audio recording or watch a Zoom Recording with Audio and ASL Interpreters only.

Keynote Speakers & TRI Staff

Mel Tanzman

Keynote Speaker

Mel Tanzman was a former Director of Social Work and Health Policy for the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, and then the Executive Director of Westchester Disabled On the Move Inc. until 2019. Among the many advocacy efforts he has been a part of for the last 35 years, besides affordable housing and CDPA, he is most proud of his involvement in helping nursing home residents free themselves to live in independent community based settings. He states “Those were real independence days and I celebrated each one.”

Lisa Tarricone

TRI’s Executive Director

Geri Mariano

Keynote Speaker

Geri Mariano, following her first advocacy appearance as a toddler on the NYS Assembly floor, would find she had a strong voice. She persuaded her high school and college to make several access “fixes” and helped initiate the first Students with Disabilities Committee at Smith College. She started “Just Call Me Geri” programs for schools, weaving themes such as Compassion, Challenges, Acceptance into her life story. Over the years Geri has received several awards in recognition of her resilience, positivity, and raising awareness.

Patrick Muller

TRI’s Program Director

Event Supporters

Click on names below to see videos, proclamations, certificates and statements.

Event Recordings & Transcript

Click Here for Zoom recording with Audio and Interpreter view only

For ADA 30 Event Audio Recording Press Play > Above

Click Here to Download Transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Media Press Releases

Community Needs Survey

Fill out a Survey Today for FREE Essential Items! (Deadline for survey 8/28)

Box of essential items like food, water, first aid kit, diapers, flashlight
TELL US WHAT YOU NEED…

We are asking that you participate in the following survey, which our staff will review to assess how we can best provide assistance to you during this challenging time. With the assistance of funds provided to us through a grant from Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley/Dutchess Responds, we are able to purchase essential food and personal care items, as well as provide limited cash rental support for our community members with disabilities and seniors.

Completing this Consumer Community Needs Survey is not a guarantee that we will be able to provide you with all the support you may need and, given our limited funding, it will be on an FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. However, TRI is committed to doing our best to help you not only now, but in the future.

TRI IS HERE TO HELP!

CLICK HERE TO START SURVEY