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Former county executive urges Greene County to adopt 'Think Differently' accessibility steps
Summary
At a May 6 Greene County Health Services Committee meeting, former Duchess County executive Mark Molinro outlined the Think Differently initiative and urged the county to move from a resolution to concrete steps — including a working group, single point-of-access and sensory‑friendly community events.
Mark Molinro, who said he launched the Think Differently initiative while serving as county executive in Duchess County, urged Greene County legislators on May 6 to move beyond adopting a resolution and implement concrete steps to make county services and public spaces more accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “You can’t do for her the things that she can do for herself,” Molinro said, recounting a personal moment with his daughter to illustrate why programs should promote independence.
Molinro described Think Differently as a county-level approach that began with a single point-of-access website and expanded to include accessible county fairs, playgrounds, parks and a county‑level deputy director position to coordinate efforts. He said the program reduced barriers families face when navigating Medicaid and other services and encouraged officials to apply design principles during planning and public-works projects.
Dana Hopkins, identified in the meeting as deputy director for Think Differently in Duchess County, outlined ready-made steps Greene County could adopt: sensory‑friendly movie matinees (lights up, sound down), first‑responder meet‑and‑greets timed to allow those with sensory sensitivities early access, autism‑supportive environment trainings and a county fair sensory‑sensitive morning with ambassadors to assist attendees. “We get 400 guests at field day events and 200 at sensory movies,” Hopkins said, noting the relatively low cost and high impact of many measures.
Both speakers offered to connect Greene County staff with contacts and documentation from other counties that have implemented the program. Molinro recommended forming a small working group of legislators, local elected officials and stakeholder organizations to pilot ideas and report back; Hopkins and Molinro said county staff could adapt checklists for park design and event planning to reduce accessibility gaps.
The presentation closed with several legislators expressing interest in follow-up and the committee agreeing to accept the materials and contacts the presenters offered.
