CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head>  <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=yes" />  <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/>  <meta name="twitter:site" content="@SyracuseUNews" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="SU News"/>  <meta name="twitter:title" content="A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities"/><meta property="og:title" content="A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities"/>  <meta property="og:url" content="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/08/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities/"/>  <meta name="twitter:description" content="How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert “Rob” P. Taishoff ’86 who sees opportunities where others see obstacles, and..." />  <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1-564x400.jpg" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1-564x400.jpg"/>  <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/favicons/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/favicons/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="manifest" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/favicons/manifest.json"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/favicons/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#d44500"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff">  <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.2.2/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/scripts.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/slick.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/jquery.mCustomScrollbar.concat.min.js"></script>  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/slick.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/slick-theme.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/js/jquery.mCustomScrollbar.min.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/style.css" />    <title>A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities — Syracuse University News</title> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Syracuse University News » Feed" href="https://news.syr.edu/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Syracuse University News » Comments Feed" href="https://news.syr.edu/comments/feed/" /> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.6.2"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); /* ]]> */ </script> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://news.syr.edu/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/205215" /><link rel='shortlink' href='https://news.syr.edu/?p=205215' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://news.syr.edu/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F&format=xml" />   <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5FC97GL');</script>   <link rel="canonical" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/08/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities/" /> <meta name="description" content="Robert ’86 and Kathryn Taishoff How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask reti ..." /> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/#schema-publishing-organization","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu","name":"Syracuse University"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/#schema-website","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu","name":"Syracuse University News","encoding":"UTF-8","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/search\/{search_term_string}\/","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities?page&year=2024&monthnum=11&day=08&name=a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Campus & Community","item":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/campus-community\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/authors\/eileen-korey\/#schema-author","name":"Eileen Korey","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/authors\/eileen-korey\/"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-webpage","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/#schema-website"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/#schema-publishing-organization"},"url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/","hasPart":[{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103799","name":"All News","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/sections\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103800","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/arts-culture\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103801","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/business-economy\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103802","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/campus-community\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103803","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/health-society\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103804","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/media-law-policy\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103805","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/stem\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-193357","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/veterans\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-193522","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/university-statements\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-202489","name":"","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/section\/syracuse-university-impact\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103807","name":"|","url":""},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-137543","name":"The Peel","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/the-peel\/"},{"@type":"SiteNavigationElement","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-nav-element-103809","name":"Athletics","url":"http:\/\/www.cuse.com\/"}]},{"@type":"Article","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-webpage"},"author":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/authors\/eileen-korey\/#schema-author"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/#schema-publishing-organization"},"dateModified":"2024-11-11T15:50:57","datePublished":"2024-11-08T11:00:11","headline":"A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities \u2014 Syracuse University News","description":"Robert \u201986 and Kathryn Taishoff How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask reti ...","name":"A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/blog\/2024\/11\/08\/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities\/#schema-article-image","url":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1.jpg","height":489,"width":690},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news.syr.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1.jpg"}]}</script> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/08/a-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities/" /> <meta property="og:title" content="A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities — Syracuse University News" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Robert ’86 and Kathryn Taishoff How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask reti ..." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="690" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="489" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-11-08T11:00:11" /> <meta property="article:author" content="Eileen Korey" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities — Syracuse University News" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Robert ’86 and Kathryn Taishoff How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask reti ..." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-690x489-1.jpg" />   <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5FC97GL');</script>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5FC97GL" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> </head> <body class=" post-template-default single single-post postid-205215 single-format-standard"> <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#entry-title">Skip to main content</a> <main id="wrapper" class="hfeed"> <header id="header" role="banner"> <nav id="top-menu" role="navigation" aria-label="site menu"> <div class="menu-header-top-menu-container"><ul id="menu-header-top-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-103789" class="icon home menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-103789"><a title="Home" href="https://news.syr.edu/">Home</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103790" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103790"><a title="About" href="https://news.syr.edu/about/">About</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103791" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103791"><a title="Faculty Experts" href="https://news.syr.edu/faculty-experts/">Faculty Experts</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103837" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103837"><a title="For The Media" href="https://news.syr.edu/for-the-media/">For The Media</a></li> <li id="menu-item-180499" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-180499"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/podcast/">’Cuse Conversations Podcast</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103794" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-103794"><a title="Topics" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/">Topics</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-103795" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103795"><a title="Alumni" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/alumni/">Alumni</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103862" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103862"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/events/">Events</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103796" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103796"><a title="Faculty" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/faculty/">Faculty</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103863" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103863"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/students/">Students</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103798" class="tags menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103798"><a title="All Topics" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/">All Topics</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-119845" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-119845"><a title="Contact" href="https://news.syr.edu/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li id="menu-item-110389" class="icon submit menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-110389"><a title="Submit" href="https://news.syr.edu/submit/">Submit</a></li> </ul></div> <a href="#" class="search-toggle icon search" role="search" aria-label="Search toggle"></a> <div id="search" tabindex="-1"> <form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" class="searchform" action="https://news.syr.edu" > <div> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">Search for:</label> <input type="text" placeholder="Search" value="" name="s" aria-label="Search box"> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search" aria-label="Submit search"> </div> </form> <div class="icon search"></div> </div> </nav> <section id="branding"><div>  <div class="category-title"> <div id="site-title"> <div> <a href="http://www.syracuse.edu" title="Syracuse University"></a> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/" title="Syracuse University News" rel="home"></a> <img src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/img/su-logo.png" title="Syracuse University News"> </div> </div> <div id="category-title" class="campus-community"> <div> <a href="/section/campus-community"> <img alt="Campus & Community" title="Campus & Community" src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/img/campus-community.png"> </a> </div> </div> </div>  </div></section> <nav id="menu" role="navigation" aria-label="sections menu"> <div class="menu-header-menu-container"><ul id="menu-header-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-103799" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103799"><a title="All News" href="https://news.syr.edu/sections/">All News</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103800" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103800"><a title="Arts & Culture" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/arts-culture/">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103801" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103801"><a title="Business & Economy" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/business-economy/">Business & Economy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103802" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-103802"><a title="Campus & Community" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/campus-community/">Campus & Community</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103803" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103803"><a title="Health & Society" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/health-society/">Health & Society</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103804" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103804"><a title="Media, Law & Policy" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/media-law-policy/">Media, Law & Policy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103805" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103805"><a title="STEM" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/stem/">STEM</a></li> <li id="menu-item-193357" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-193357"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/section/veterans/">Veterans</a></li> <li id="menu-item-193522" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-193522"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/university-statements/">University Statements</a></li> <li id="menu-item-202489" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-202489"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/section/syracuse-university-impact/">Syracuse University Impact</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103807" class="divider menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103807"><a>|</a></li> <li id="menu-item-137543" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-137543"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/the-peel/">The Peel</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103809" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103809"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://www.cuse.com/">Athletics</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> <a role="button" class="mobile-menu-toggle js-mobile-menu-open" href="#" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show Main Navigation"><span></span><span></span><span></span></a> <nav id="mobile-menu" aria-label="mobile menu" role ="menu"> <a role="button" class="mobile-menu-toggle js-mobile-menu-close" href="#" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Hide Main Navigation"><span></span><span></span><span></span></a> <div class="site-title"> <div> <a href="http://www.syracuse.edu" title="Syracuse University"></a> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/" title="Syracuse University News" rel="home"></a> <img src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/themes/su-news/lib/img/su-logo-white.png"> </div> </div> <div class="page-title">Sections</div> <div class="menu-header-menu-container"><ul id="menu-header-menu-1" class="menu"><li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103799"><a title="All News" href="https://news.syr.edu/sections/">All News</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103800"><a title="Arts & Culture" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/arts-culture/">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103801"><a title="Business & Economy" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/business-economy/">Business & Economy</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-103802"><a title="Campus & Community" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/campus-community/">Campus & Community</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103803"><a title="Health & Society" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/health-society/">Health & Society</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103804"><a title="Media, Law & Policy" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/media-law-policy/">Media, Law & Policy</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-103805"><a title="STEM" href="https://news.syr.edu/section/stem/">STEM</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-193357"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/section/veterans/">Veterans</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-193522"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/university-statements/">University Statements</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-202489"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/section/syracuse-university-impact/">Syracuse University Impact</a></li> <li class="divider menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103807"><a>|</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-137543"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/the-peel/">The Peel</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103809"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://www.cuse.com/">Athletics</a></li> </ul></div> <div class="menu-header-top-menu-container"><ul id="menu-header-top-menu-1" class="menu"><li class="icon home menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-103789"><a title="Home" href="https://news.syr.edu/">Home</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103790"><a title="About" href="https://news.syr.edu/about/">About</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103791"><a title="Faculty Experts" href="https://news.syr.edu/faculty-experts/">Faculty Experts</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103837"><a title="For The Media" href="https://news.syr.edu/for-the-media/">For The Media</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-180499"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/podcast/">’Cuse Conversations Podcast</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-103794"><a title="Topics" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/">Topics</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103795"><a title="Alumni" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/alumni/">Alumni</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103862"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/events/">Events</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103796"><a title="Faculty" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/faculty/">Faculty</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-post_tag menu-item-103863"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/students/">Students</a></li> <li class="tags menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-103798"><a title="All Topics" href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/">All Topics</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-119845"><a title="Contact" href="https://news.syr.edu/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li class="icon submit menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-110389"><a title="Submit" href="https://news.syr.edu/submit/">Submit</a></li> </ul></div> <div class="search"> <form role="search" method="get" id="searchform-mobile" class="searchform" action="https://news.syr.edu"> <div> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">Search for:</label> <input type="text" placeholder="Search" value="" name="s" aria-label="Search box"> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit-mobile" value="Search" aria-label="Submit search"> </div> </form> <div class="search icon"></div> </div> </nav> </header> <div id="container"> <div id="content" role="main" class="sidebar"> <div class="article" id="post-205215" class="post-205215 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-campus-community tag-alumni tag-board-of-trustees tag-center-on-disability-and-inclusion tag-forever-orange tag-inclusiveu tag-school-of-education tag-students tag-taishoff-center-for-inclusive-higher-education"> <div class="label">Campus & Community</div> <h1 id="entry-title" tabindex="-1" class="page-title">A $2.5M Challenge to Build Futures for People With Disabilities</h1> <div class="date"> <span>Friday, November 8, 2024, </span> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/eileen-korey/"> By Eileen Korey </a> <div id="share"> <span class="share-toggle">Share</span> <ul class="share-icons"> <li> <a class="icon email" href="mailto:?subject=A%20$2.5M%20Challenge%20to%20Build%20Futures%20for%20People%20With%20Disabilities&body=Check out this article on Syracuse University News: https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F."></a> </li> <li> <a class="icon print" href="javascript:window.print()"></a> </li> <li> <a class="icon twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=A%20$2.5M%20Challenge%20to%20Build%20Futures%20for%20People%20With%20Disabilities&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F&hashtags=SyracuseU" target="_self"></a> </li> <li> <a class="icon facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F" target="_self"></a> </li> <li> <a class="icon linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.syr.edu%2Fblog%2F2024%2F11%2F08%2Fa-2-5m-challenge-to-build-futures-for-people-with-disabilities%2F&title=A%20$2.5M%20Challenge%20to%20Build%20Futures%20for%20People%20With%20Disabilities" target="_self"></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="tags"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/alumni/" rel="tag">alumni</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/board-of-trustees/" rel="tag">Board of Trustees</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/center-on-disability-and-inclusion/" rel="tag">Center on Disability and Inclusion</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/forever-orange/" rel="tag">Forever Orange</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/inclusiveu/" rel="tag">InclusiveU</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/school-of-education/" rel="tag">School of Education</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/students/" rel="tag">Students</a><a href="https://news.syr.edu/topics/taishoff-center-for-inclusive-higher-education/" rel="tag">Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education</a></div> <div class="content"><div id="attachment_205217" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205217" class="wp-image-205217 size-full" src="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-1200x627-1.jpg" alt="two people with graphic overlay of orange triangles" width="1200" height="627" srcset="https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-1200x627-1.jpg 1200w, https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-1200x627-1-600x314.jpg 600w, https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-1200x627-1-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/810351_ForeverOrange-Taishoff-1200x627-1-768x401.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p id="caption-attachment-205217" class="wp-caption-text">Robert ’86 and Kathryn Taishoff</p></div> <p>How do you inspire people to open their hearts and provide the support to raise the hefty sum of $2.5 million? Just ask retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert “Rob” P. Taishoff ’86 who sees opportunities where others see obstacles, and who is determined to change the way the world views intellectual disability. With the recent Taishoff Family Foundation gift of $2.5 million to inclusive higher education at Syracuse University, Taishoff is challenging others to see the world the way he does and match his family’s pledge.</p> <p>“I’ve seen the confidence that these young men and women with intellectual disabilities develop when given educational opportunities, and it’s mind-blowing,” says Taishoff. “If we give them the chance to pursue their interests and prepare them for careers, just like we do with every student at Syracuse University, they will thrive, excel, succeed and surprise us.”</p> <p>Taishoff continues to marvel at the successes of the students who attend InclusiveU and the accomplishments of the <a href="https://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/">Lawrence B. Taishoff Center on Inclusive Higher Education</a>, named for his father in 2009 with a $1.1 million grant from Taishoff. The center and InclusiveU have become national models for the inclusion and education of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At that time, Taishoff was a University Trustee; he served as a voting trustee from 2009 to 2021 and is now a life trustee. Taishoff has been involved in many University initiatives, but it was inclusive education and the work going on at the <a href="https://disabilityinclusioncenter.syr.edu/">Center on Disability and Inclusion</a> (CDI) in the School of Education that captured his whole heart.</p> <p>Taishoff’s daughter, Jackie, was born with Down syndrome in 2001, and he experienced firsthand the promise and the heartbreak felt by the families of young people often marginalized by society. “Jackie is very social and friendly, and frequently surprises us with what she’s capable of doing,” says Taishoff. He’d love to see her attend InclusiveU but as a resident of Maryland, her benefits associated with her disability won’t cross state lines. The portability of benefits is one of those systemic policy issues that CDI’s staff is working to change, helping students overcome barriers to pursue an education and career.</p> <p>According to Sara Hart Weir, a national expert in disability policy and former president of the National Down Syndrome Society, Taishoff is the kind of visionary who “sees endless opportunities not just for Jackie, but for all people with disabilities. Rob wants them to have the kinds of opportunities every other American has, from education to health care, from financial services to careers.” Weir says individuals with Down syndrome are an “untapped workforce who, with access to programs like InclusiveU, can skill up, enter the workforce and become taxpayers.” She says <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/10/08/making-higher-education-accessible-to-all-the-global-impact-of-inclusiveu/">InclusiveU</a> is the “best of the best” in providing these kinds of opportunities.</p> <h2><strong>Strengthening Programming </strong></h2> <p>The Taishoff Family Foundation has contributed several million dollars over the years to strengthen CDI, the Taishoff Center and InclusiveU, providing resources for programmatic growth. “They’ve achieved all their goals in the last five-year plan and that set the stage for the next five-year plan,” says Taishoff, who hopes his new gift will be leveraged to bring in new donor support. The next five-year plan seeks to grow enrollment by 25% and offer new experiences for students with intellectual disability.</p> <p>“We’re never satisfied with what we’re doing,” says Beth Myers, the Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education, executive director of the Taishoff Center and assistant director of CDI. “We may be the largest program of our kind in the nation, but there are always more opportunities to pursue. For example, I dream of first providing our students with a two-week study abroad in Italy with the goal of a full semester of study abroad in any location where any other Syracuse University student can go. Am I dreaming huge dreams? Yes. Is it possible? Yes!” But, Myers acknowledges, it takes more resources and staffing to achieve those dreams.</p> <p>Myers credits her “amazing team and an incredible staff at InclusiveU who would do anything for these students” to deliver on dreams. She has watched the program at InclusiveU grow from 14 students in three majors to 100 students in 45 majors taking more than 300 courses across the University. “We have allies in every department across campus, top down and bottom up support,” says Myers. “It’s a culture grounded in the University’s 60-plus year history in disability advocacy. People really value the work we do in inclusion.”</p> <p>“I am continuously inspired by Rob Taishoff’s generosity and, now, his strategic challenge to others to help advance Syracuse University’s leadership in the disability community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Rob persists in challenging all of us to think of innovative and creative solutions and to collaborate across units and colleges to ensure equitable opportunities for all our students and to be a standard-bearer for academic institutions nationwide.”</p> <p>Through those opportunities, Taishoff sees how students become one with the University community. “Our intellectually disabled students are woven into the fabric of the University, from the classroom to living arrangements, from social activities to career preparation,” says Taishoff.</p> <h2><strong>Going Beyond</strong></h2> <p>CDI’s strategic plan for growth goes beyond assisting the growth of the Taishoff Center and enrollment in InclusiveU. It would enhance access to higher education among students in the Syracuse City School district (nationally, less than 2% of high school students with intellectual disability go to college). It would invest in innovative technical assistance for disabled students and establish an Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center to help other colleges and universities. It would support research, fellowships and teaching to advance the field. It would provide more resources for career advising and career placement (only 17% of adults with intellectual disabilities are employed nationally). The newly established Robert and Kathryn Taishoff Fund would support many of these initiatives and scholarship support for students.</p> <p>In addition to the new fund, the latest Taishoff gift continues support through the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education Endowed Fund. Part of the $1.5 billion <a href="https://giving.syr.edu/">Forever Orange Campaign</a>, Taishoff’s gift builds on <a href="https://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/about/family/">his family’s legacy</a> and the legacy of the School of Education. Rob Taishoff’s father Lawrence and grandfather Sol philanthropically supported education, journalism and health research. Taishoff says his father was “exceptionally close” to granddaughter Jackie, perhaps because he had witnessed a cousin with Down syndrome sent to an institution and shielded away from society and opportunity.</p> <p>Taishoff says his own military experience also reinforced the family’s commitment to opening the doors of opportunity. He spent more than two decades in active duty in the Navy and managed Navy and Marine Corps attorneys and civilians representing service members. “No matter what background or walk of life someone was from, whether enlisted or an officer, we were all pulling for the same goals, trying to fulfill a mission,” Taishoff says. “I saw people who were given opportunities in the military that they would not have had otherwise, and I saw them thrive and excel.”</p> <p>The Taishoff Family Foundation’s legacy aligns with that of the School of Education, which is recognized as an international leader in the deinstitutionalization and school inclusion movements. The school is home to the first disability studies program in the country and the first joint degree program in law and disability studies, and it helped Syracuse become the first research university to launch an integrated elementary and special education teacher education program.</p> <p>“It’s time to build on history once again,” says Taishoff. “I hope others will join me in creating new futures for countless young people who deserve a chance to contribute in ways that will amaze us.”</p> <h2><strong>About Syracuse University</strong></h2> <p>Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.</p> <h3><strong>About Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University</strong></h3> <p>Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit <a href="http://foreverorange.syr.edu/">foreverorange.syr.edu</a> to learn more.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="sidebar"> <div id="author-faculty-experts" class="tab-container one"> <ul class="tabs"> <li class="tab-link" tabindex="0" data-tab="tab-1">Author</li> </ul> <div id="tab-1" class="tab-content "> <h3 class="article-title"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/eileen-korey/">Eileen Korey</a> </h3> </div> </div> <div class="tab-container one"> <ul class="tabs"> <li class="tab-link" tabindex="0" data-tab="posts-tab-1" aria-controls="posts-tab-1">Recent</li> </ul> <div id="posts-tab-1" class="tab-content " tabindex="0" role="tabpanel"> <ul class="article-list-condensed"> <li class="article"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/as-offers-more-community-learning-pathways-for-arts-and-sciences-undergraduates/" title="A&S Offers More Community Learning Pathways for Arts and Sciences Undergraduates" rel="bookmark">A&S Offers More Community Learning Pathways for Arts and Sciences Undergraduates</a> <div class="date"> Tuesday, November 26, 2024, <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/dtbernar/">By Dan Bernardi</a> </div> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/sports-medicine-conference-highlights-next-generation-of-researchers-innovators-and-problem-solvers-from-exercise-science/" title="Sports Medicine Conference Highlights ‘Next Generation of Researchers, Innovators and Problem-Solvers’ from Exercise Science " rel="bookmark">Sports Medicine Conference Highlights ‘Next Generation of Researchers, Innovators and Problem-Solvers’ from Exercise Science </a> <div class="date"> Tuesday, November 26, 2024, <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/mmicha04/">By Matt Michael</a> </div> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/donate-food-and-hygiene-items-to-reduce-your-libraries-fines/" title="Donate Food and Hygiene Items to Reduce Your Libraries Fines" rel="bookmark">Donate Food and Hygiene Items to Reduce Your Libraries Fines</a> <div class="date"> Tuesday, November 26, 2024, <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/cjhatem/">By Cristina Hatem</a> </div> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/new-research-on-the-evolution-of-sexual-selection-in-fruit-flies/" title="New Research on the Evolution of Sexual Selection in Fruit Flies" rel="bookmark">New Research on the Evolution of Sexual Selection in Fruit Flies</a> <div class="date"> Tuesday, November 26, 2024, <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/ejmbuqe/">By Ellen Mbuqe</a> </div> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/25/2024-student-entrepreneur-impact-prize-winners/" title="2024 Student Entrepreneur Impact Prize Winners" rel="bookmark">2024 Student Entrepreneur Impact Prize Winners</a> <div class="date"> Monday, November 25, 2024, <a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/authors/cjhatem/">By Cristina Hatem</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="more"> <h3 class="section-title">More In Campus & Community</h3> <div class="arrows"> <div class="icon left"></div> <div class="icon right"></div> </div> <section class="slider"> <article> <a title="Meeting of Engaged Humanities Network Research Team" class="thumbnail" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/as-offers-more-community-learning-pathways-for-arts-and-sciences-undergraduates/" style="background-image:url(https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Engaged-Humanities-Research-Team690x489-1.jpg)"> <div role="img" aria-label="Meeting of Engaged Humanities Network Research Team"></div> </a> <h4 class="article-title"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/as-offers-more-community-learning-pathways-for-arts-and-sciences-undergraduates/">A&S Offers More Community Learning Pathways for Arts and Sciences Undergraduates</a></h4> <div class="excerpt"><p>As the popular adage goes, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” An essential step in preparing students to tackle today’s pressing challenges, like climate change and social and economic inequity,…</p> </div> </article> <article> <a title="Campbell's tomato soup cans" class="thumbnail" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/donate-food-and-hygiene-items-to-reduce-your-libraries-fines/" style="background-image:url(https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Food-For-Fines-690x489-1.jpg)"> <div role="img" aria-label="Campbell's tomato soup cans"></div> </a> <h4 class="article-title"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/26/donate-food-and-hygiene-items-to-reduce-your-libraries-fines/">Donate Food and Hygiene Items to Reduce Your Libraries Fines</a></h4> <div class="excerpt"><p>Syracuse University Libraries is offering an end of semester opportunity for students to reduce their library fines while doing good for others. “Food for Fines” will run from Dec. 6 through Dec. 17. All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines…</p> </div> </article> <article> <a title="A woman smiles while holding up a check." class="thumbnail" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/25/2024-student-entrepreneur-impact-prize-winners/" style="background-image:url(https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Elizabeth-Paulin-690X489.jpg)"> <div role="img" aria-label="A woman smiles while holding up a check."></div> </a> <h4 class="article-title"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/25/2024-student-entrepreneur-impact-prize-winners/">2024 Student Entrepreneur Impact Prize Winners</a></h4> <div class="excerpt"><p>Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) announced the winners of the 2024 Impact Prize competition for social entrepreneurship, held on Nov. 13 at Bird Library. Student teams pitched their respective social impact ventures for a chance to win a total…</p> </div> </article> <article> <a title="Students collect and sort items to be donated." class="thumbnail" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/25/first-year-seminar-peer-leaders-theyre-the-connectors-in-an-innovative-program/" style="background-image:url(https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FYS-101-690X489-packs.jpg)"> <div role="img" aria-label="Students collect and sort items to be donated."></div> </a> <h4 class="article-title"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/25/first-year-seminar-peer-leaders-theyre-the-connectors-in-an-innovative-program/">First Year Seminar Peer Leaders: They’re the Connectors in an Innovative Program</a></h4> <div class="excerpt"><p>When members of the Class of 2025 graduate in May, many will have spent four years as instrumental components of a unique program designed to acclimate new students to life at Syracuse University. These seniors have been involved as students…</p> </div> </article> <article> <a title="outside of building on city street" class="thumbnail" href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/22/office-of-the-chief-financial-officer-releases-updated-travel-policy/" style="background-image:url(https://news.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SYR202230102-048_Small.690.jpg)"> <div role="img" aria-label="outside of building on city street"></div> </a> <h4 class="article-title"><a href="https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/11/22/office-of-the-chief-financial-officer-releases-updated-travel-policy/">Office of the Chief Financial Officer Releases Updated Travel Policy</a></h4> <div class="excerpt"><p>The University has updated its policy governing University travel, including new guidance around hotel and meals reimbursement, allowing for trip insurance as a reimbursable expense, and encouraging travelers to New York City to utilize the University’s Joseph I. Lubin House…</p> </div> </article> </section> </div> <div class="box" id="connect"> <div class="newsletter"> <h4 class="box-title">Subscribe to SU Today</h4> <form method="POST" action="https://maestro.syr.edu/list/action/subscribeStep1.do?L-Soft.outsideSubscribe=true&lui=hcuky9ow&mContainer=9&mOwner=G1e&mListId=HL%2310"> <input placeholder="Your Email Address" name="mAddress" aria-label="enter email address"> <input name="ok" class="button" value="Subscribe" type="submit" aria-label="submit email"> </form> <p class="date">If you need help with your subscription, contact <a href="mailto:sunews@syr.edu">sunews@syr.edu</a>.</p> </div> <div class="social-media"> <h4 class="box-title">Connect With Us</h4> <div class="menu-social-media-container"><ul id="menu-social-media" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-103784" class="icon twitter menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103784"><a title="Twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://x.com/SyracuseUNews">X</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103785" class="icon facebook menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103785"><a title="Facebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseUniversityNews">Facebook</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103786" class="icon instagram menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103786"><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/syracuseu/">Instagram</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103787" class="icon youtube menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103787"><a title="Youtube" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/syracuse-university-news/">Youtube</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103788" class="icon linkedin menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103788"><a title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/syracuse-university-news">LinkedIn</a></li> </ul></div> <a href="http://socialmedia.syr.edu/directory/" target="_self" class="icon right-circle">Social Media Directory</a> </div> <div class="media-links"> <h4 class="box-title">For the Media</h4> <a class="icon right-circle" href="/faculty-experts">Find an Expert</a> <a class="icon right-circle" target="_self" href="https://twitter.com/syracuseunews">Follow @SyracuseUNews</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <footer id="footer" role="contentinfo"> <div id="seal"></div> <nav id="footer-top-menu" role="navigation"> <div class="menu-footer-top-menu-container"><ul id="menu-footer-top-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-103810" class="icon facebook menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103810"><a title="Facebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseUniversityNews">Facebook</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103811" class="icon instagram menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103811"><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/syracuseu/">Instagram</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103812" class="icon youtube menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103812"><a title="Youtube" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Syracuse">Youtube</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103813" class="icon linkedin menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103813"><a title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/syracuse-university-news/">LinkedIn</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103814" class="icon twitter menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103814"><a title="@SyracuseU" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/SyracuseU">@SyracuseU</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103815" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103815"><a title="@SyracuseUNews" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/SyracuseUNews">@SyracuseUNews</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103817" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103817"><a title="Social Media Directory" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.syracuse.edu/about/social-media/">Social Media Directory</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> <nav id="footer-menu" role="navigation"> <div class="menu-footer-menu-container"><ul id="menu-footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-103818" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103818"><a title="Accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://syr.edu/accessiblesu/">Accessibility</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103819" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103819"><a title="Privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://syr.edu/about/privacy_policy.html">Privacy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103820" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103820"><a title="Campus Status" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://status.syr.edu/">Campus Status</a></li> <li id="menu-item-103821" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-103821"><a title="http://www.syr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.syracuse.edu/">Syracuse.edu</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> <div id="copyright"> © 2024 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved. </div> </footer> </main>   <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5FC97GL" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  </body> </html>