Roundtable: Job Opportunities for Those with Special Needs

The next in a series of New Castle panel discussions will be held Thursday at the Chappaqua Library.

The topic is "Employment Opportunities for those with Special Needs."

The goal is to discuss the need for employment opportunities and if the need is being filled. If the need is not being met, how can we, as a community, do a better job to meet that need? said town Supervisor Rob Greenstein.

• Robert Greenstein, Supervisor, Town of New Castle
• Jerry Phillip is the Interim Executive Director, Neighborhood Network of New York
• Lucille Rossi, Greeley PTA's special education committee
• Heidi McCarthy, Director, Special Education and Related Services
• Trish Kallman, owner of Hip Kids
• Tracy Powell-Rudy, Director Corporate Engagement, ASTEP
• Danielle Abrosh Gootzeit, member of Exceptional People of New Castle Committee
• Dawn Rosen, President Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce
• Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
• Roberta Lasky, Arts & Culture Committee

Agenda/outline:

People with disabilities are woefully under employed. Some statistics site as much as 80% unemployment rates. We would like to have opportunities for our community members with disabilities to have employment opportunities in our community – whether as an adult, who would be paid, or as a student/intern getting real world work experience as part of their education.

"Chappaqua's school system is inclusive, meaning our children, both typical and those with disabilities, are included in the fabric of our schools—in the classrooms, the playing fields, the cafeteria, everywhere," Lucille Rossi, Co-chair of Greeley PTA's special education committee, said in a written statement. "As our students with Special Needs transition to the adult world, being included in the community and workplace becomes just as important. These students benefit from exposure to work experiences while still at Greeley. This roundtable will highlight opportunities that currently exist in New Castle, as well as what we can do to further increase employment options in our town."

When we took over the Wallace Auditorium at Chappaqua Crossing my first thought was to follow the lead the Prospector Theater which provides employment for people with disabilities, Greenstein said. "Research has proven that there are so many added benefits of employing people with disabilities. People with disabilities help to diversify the workplace. It has also been demonstrated that diversity adds many positive qualities to the workplace include a level of respect of others. I look forward to exploring how we - as a community – can do a better job of providing employment opportunities for those with special needs. I would like to thank Lucille Rossi for her help in organizing this event."

The panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. May 5.

New Castle Exceptional People Committee

In 2015, the Town of New Castle formed the New Castle Exceptional People Committee. This Committee was formed to make recommendations to the Town Board on the concerns of the Town’s special needs residents, provide updates on the Americans with Disabilities Act, and disseminate information on the Town’s recreational, educational and social programming for all age groups of residents with special needs. The Committee focuses on organized recreational, social and skill-building activities and works to raise general awareness about the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. The committee also works to provide educational, employment & theatrical opportunities at the Wallace Auditorium.