Yesterday, March 26th, the Town Board passed resolution 2024-401, reconstituting the Disability Advisory Committee as the Southampton Town Disability Task Force. The new committee will focus on connecting residents with services that assist those with special needs. Modelled after the Brookhaven Town Disability Task Force, the goals of the new Task Force for the Town of Southampton will be to bring forth resources to the community and to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities by hosting events, creating forums for public discussion, connecting individuals with services, and raising awareness of issues that have a disproportionate impact upon the special needs community.
The new focus will be to bring an Annual Resource Fair to the community that spotlights programs in both the public sector and private sector. Some of these programs include services from the Department of Social Services and educational and professional development programs that aid families. Additionally, the Task Force is in the process of drafting a service guide that will provide a comprehensive list of local organizations and entities dedicated to the welfare of special needs individuals.
Councilmember Iasilli had previously been appointed to the Brookhaven Town Disability Task Force where they worked with organizations like SILO (Self Initiated Living Options), Ken’s Crew, Destination Accessible, and Suffolk County Department of Social Services, among others, to educate and inform families seeking assistance. “The goal of the new Task Force will be to bring together local organizations here in Southampton that seek to improve the lives of those with special needs and offer options to the community. Having a sibling with a learning disability has taught me valuable lessons on the struggle families often encounter finding services. I’m grateful to my fellow Town Board members for supporting this critical step in enhancing our Township for those with disabilities,” commented Councilmember Iasilli.
He added “a special thank you to the members of the Task Force, in particular, Jamie Bowden, Southampton Town Community Organization Specialist, and Sean Cambridge, Southampton Town’s ADA Coordinator, for their collaborative efforts.”
