Kid Sea Turtle Maritime Aquarium 2019

Eleven Fairfield County Attractions Partner to Accommodate Visitors With Special Needs

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Eleven Fairfield County attractions are working to reduce the stresses of planning — and accomplishing — visits for guests with special needs through a new partnership called “Accessibility for All.”

Beginning April 2, anyone who wants to know how the 11 attractions accommodate guests with special needs will be able to find the information all on one website —AccessibilityForAllCT.Org. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

Previously, potential guests had to dig through each attraction’s website, in some cases only to end up finding little or no information at all. The 11 organizations participating in “Accessibility for All” are:

• Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, which organized the effort, and Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk

• Earthplace, the nature center in Westport

• Connecticut Audubon Society in Fairfield

• Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Discovery Museum in Bridgeport

• Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford

• Audubon Greenwich and the Bruce Museum in Greenwich

• Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield

• EverWonder Children’s Museum in Newtown

The new “Accessibility for All” website also will be updated as the attractions present special events geared for this important customer group. Fairfield County attractions have never teamed in such an exceptional way before, said Tom Naiman, director of Education for The Maritime Aquarium. “‘Accessibility for All’ springs from a realization that, by working together, all of our institutions can do a better job of welcoming guests with special needs,” Naiman said.

Special Needs Trusts contributed

Learn the Basics of Setting Up a Special Needs Trust on Nov 15

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Learn the basics of setting up a Special Needs Trust from two local lawyers on Wednesday morning, Nov. 15, at a free presentation at Woodway Country Club from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

A continental breakfast will be served, and after the presentation from Marianne Cirillo and Michele Gartland, both attorneys with Rucci Law Group, an informal discussion will follow. They will present the fundamental tools necessary to establish a Special Needs Trust and help family members understand the concepts and essential strategies critical in developing a personal plan. Marianne Cirillo is an experienced lawyer in the areas of trusts and estates and real estate law. She is known for her sensitivity and ease with clients; letting them set the pace for what can often be very emotionally difficult situations, particularly regarding estate planning or administration of estates.