Abilities First Recognition Reception

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Locust Grove
2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie

For ticket information, please contact: events@abilitiesfirstny.org
Our Recognition Reception serves as an expression of gratitude to our
esteemed community partners and a pivotal moment to invite new allies
into our mission enriching the lives of children and adults with
intellectual and developmental disabilities.

2026 Honorees

• Business Partner of the Year: The Culinary Institute of America
• Friend of Abilities First: The Elks Club
• Abilities First Person of the Year: Staci Diliberto
• Volunteer of the Year: Michelle Smith
• Community Partner of the Year: Paul Lloyd
• The Accessibility Innovation Partner of the Year: Adaptive Design

Join CP Unlimited at our annual evening of springtime sparkle in the Hudson Valley benefitting people with disabilities!

The Spring Formal is more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to bring together individuals with disabilities, families, supporters, officials, and community partners for a joyful night of connection, dignity, and inclusion. For many of the people we support, this event is a highlight of the year, offering a chance to dress up, socialize, and fully participate in a shared community experience.

2026 will see the organization celebrate our 80th year of impact and this evening is one of our major occasions to spotlight our vital mission and connect with area trailblazers.

For tickets  CPU Spring Formal 2026 Tickets, Saturday, June 6  •  5 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite

tickets are $60.54 each (includes fees). Ticket sales end June 4th. 

Questions related to the Spring Formal? email communications@cpofnys.og 

OPWDDFuture Planning 2026 Forums 

This summer, OPWDD will be holding forums across New York State to share updates about our work and hear from you. This year is especially exciting as it will officially kick off our work on our next five-year OPWDD Strategic Plan.

The following in-person and virtual forums have been scheduled:

• Manhattan: June 9, 1PM - 3PM
• Westchester: June 22, 5PM - 7PM
• Albany: July 7, 5PM - 7PM
• Buffalo: July 15, 5:30 -7:30PM
• Binghamton: July 16, 11 AM - 1PM
• Virtual Forum Evening: July 9, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• Virtual Forum Day: July 14, 11AM - 1PM 

This year, forums will be more interactive and give you more opportunities to share your thoughts with OPWDD. At each forum, we’ll give you a chance to share your thoughts on: 

• Navigating the OPWDD system 

• What High Quality Services Mean to You 

• Planning for the future of OPWDD 

You can come in-person or join us online.  You can find event details and sign up on our website using the link below. 

You do not have to register to attend, but we encourage it.  Registration helps us plan for the events and provide supports.  If you need language services or other accommodations, please register and tell us what you need at least 2 weeks before the event.   

These forums are one of many ways to get involved and are just the start of our work on the 2028-2032 OPWDD Strategic Plan.  We will have more opportunities to share feedback as we work together on our plan for the future.  

We want you to be part of the conversation.  We are working together to build a shared vision for the future of OPWDD and the people we support.  The best ideas come from people, families, providers, and staff.  Your experiences, ideas, and voices matter. 

We hope you will join us. 

LIFEPlan CCO NY Community Networking Event 2026

LIFEPlan CCO members and families are invited to attend this event to meet with IDD
Providers and learn about IDD programs and services in your region.
We hope you can join us. Please click here to register.

TACONIC REGION
Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
DoubleTree Hilton Poughkeepsie
40 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Panel Discussion at 11 a.m.: Thinking Ahead: Aging, Care,
and Support

CSIDD is a start Certified national program through the Arc of Chemung-Schuyler.
START/CSIDD is crisis response and prevention program for people experiencing Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health (DD_MH) needs.
the program is dedicated to building the capacity of our community of Western NY and Finger Lakes providers and caregivers. 
Join us for our Virtual 2026 Clinical Education Training series hosted by Clinical Director and Licensed Psychologist, Rose Hazlitt PsyD.
Trainings feature evidence - informed topics that commonly impact people with DD-MH and their teams.
If you have questions on our CETs or upcoming topics, please email us at: information@wflstart.org

Anticipated 2026 Topic
Agoraphobia
Catatonia
Dementia
Eating Disorders
Eye Conditions
Fecal Behavior
Mood Disorders
Prader Willi 
Traumatic Brain Injury
Urinatory Conditions

Microsoft Teams information to join meetings:
Meeting ID: 225 135 587 834 20
Passcode: 475d3rs6

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OPWDD is proud to partner with NYS State Parks, DEC, the O􀆯ice of the Chief
Disability Officer, the Department of Veterans Services, the O􀆯ice of Mental
Health and the Justice Center on Get Outdoors & Get Together Day which is
happening on Saturday, June 13. Fun and accessible outdoor events will be held
at select locations across the state!
At DEC sites, attendees can discover new skills and enjoy a range of introductory level
outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, nature walks and hikes, birding,
archery, camping, paddling, and more. Activities will vary at state parks and other
sites and range from lawn games to accessible hikes to arts and crafts. Most
events will run from 10 am until 2 pm.

Hudson Valley

• Sterling Forest State Park (Orange County)
• Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)
• Lake Taghkanic State Park (Columbia County)

Catskills

• Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (Ulster County)
• Catskills Visitor Center (Ulster County)
• North-South Lake Campground (Greene County)

Capital Region

• Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County)
• Saratoga Spa State Park (Saratoga County)

Adirondacks

• Scaroon Manor Campground (Warren County)

Join us for an exciting evening of pocketbook bingo featuring raffles, door prizes, 50/50, food, drinks (cash bar), and more!

We hope to see you at the Chapel Corner Club for this dynamic program to help people with disabilities and those seeking emergency housing in the Hudson Valley.

TFor tickets: Pocketbook Bingo with CP Unlimited Tickets, Saturday, June 13  •  6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite

Ticket costs (including fees) $71.21

To learn more about CP Unlimited, please visit our website celebrating 80 years of impact and service.

OPWDD New York's World Cup Watch Party

The State of New York has been planning a World Cup Experience like no other and has gone to great lengths to make the world cup experience accessible and inclusive so people of all abilities and from all walks of life can enjoy what Governor Hochul has aptly called a "once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers."
OPWDD is teaming up with other state agencies and Special Olympics of New York to provide exciting, family-friendly activities for match day on June 12. 
Starting at 1 PM, OPWDD will be hosting a sensory tent and Special Olympics will be running soccer skills clinics on Stony Brook's beautiful field. 
But there will be so much more for you to experience and enjoy at this rain or shine event. Join us and thousands of fellow New Yorkers as we watch live matches on giant outdoor screens, enjoy entertainment, and celebrate the world’s game together! 
GET YOUR FREE TICKETS TODAY!
Please Join Us for New York's World Cup Experience Friday, June 12, 2026 Stony Brook University
 Matches: Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Group B – Toronto Stadium USA v Paraguay - Group D – Los Angeles Stadium Doors Open at 1 PM 
LEARN ABOUT ALL OF NEW YORK'S COMMUNITY VIEWING EVENTS

VISIT NY'S WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE OFFICIAL SITE
“Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers, and we are making this world class event as affordable and accessible as possible." Governor Kathy Hochul 
Read Governor Hochul's News Release

To view this announcement in another language, visit the link at the bottom of this message and click on the translate button at the top to select your preferred language.

Join Us at Stony Brook University for An Accessible World Cup Watch Party Like No Other! | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

DUTCHESS COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD
EMPOWER & EMPLOY 2.0
CATALYZING INCLUSIVE TALENT, OPPORTUNITY, AND GROWTH

Dates and Times:
June 17, 2026 (12 PM-5 PM)
June 18, 2026 (9 AM- 5 PM)

Location: BOCES CONFERENCE CENTER
5 BOCES Rd.
Poughkeepsie NY 12601

Learn how to:
Build Your Network, Increase Service Delivery, Leverage & Braid Resources, Build Inclusive Career Pathways, Talk to and train employers on hiring people of all abilities + more
SPEAKERS NEEDED
Interested in sharing your knowledge? We are looking for speakers! Please click on the link, below, before May 26, 2026  Submit your proposal

REGISTER TODAY
MORE INFORMATION
www.dcwib.org
SAVE THE DATE

TRI What supports and resources are available for your child this summer?

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2026
1:00-2:00PM
VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM

SMOOTH TRANSITIONS: PREPARING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FOR SUMMER
This workshop will help parents and caregivers prepare for a successful summer by exploring strategies for maintaining routines, supporting social-emotional well-being, and creating structure at home while still allowing for rest and fun. Participants will learn about local programs and community resources, ways to prevent regression of academic and executive functioning skills, and tips for easing transitions into new schedules and activities.

Click here to register

American Sign-Language interpreters can be requested on the registration form above. Requests MUST be submitted by June 3rd.
 
j.garay@taconicresources.org
www.taconicresources.org

With the summer swimming season quickly approaching, the Dutchess County Department of Health (DCDOH) is hosting a series of Drowning Prevention Seminars to raise awareness about how quickly identify a swimmer in distress. These seminars are open to lifeguards, people who have supervision responsibilities for swimming activities, as well as residents interested in protecting loved ones.

Drowning is often silent, with little splashing or calls for help. A swimmer in distress is usually unable to shout or wave because they are struggling to breathe, and their movements follow predictable – but easily overlooked – patterns. The DCDOH Drowning Prevention Seminars teach participants how to recognize these subtle signs and respond quickly to assist a swimmer in danger.

Each session covers best practices for supervising swimmers, how to identify distress behaviors, and includes an instructional video on drowning victim recognition. Attendees will also review lifeguard duties and responsibilities under DCDOH regulations. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of attendance.

Seating for the seminars is limited. To make a reservation, please contact Joy from DCDOH, Monday-Friday from 9AM - 5PM at (845) 677-4001 or by e-mail to jmass@dutchessny.gov.

DCDOH asks that reservations are made at least two days prior to the event and that all information requests be directed to the department, not the individual seminar sites.

DUTCHESS COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD
EMPOWER & EMPLOY 2.0
CATALYZING INCLUSIVE TALENT, OPPORTUNITY, AND GROWTH

Dates and Times:
June 17, 2026 (12 PM-5 PM)
June 18, 2026 (9 AM- 5 PM)

Location: BOCES CONFERENCE CENTER
5 BOCES Rd.
Poughkeepsie NY 12601

Learn how to:
Build Your Network, Increase Service Delivery, Leverage & Braid Resources, Build Inclusive Career Pathways, Talk to and train employers on hiring people of all abilities + more
SPEAKERS NEEDED
Interested in sharing your knowledge? We are looking for speakers! Please click on the link, below, before May 26, 2026  Submit your proposal

REGISTER TODAY
MORE INFORMATION
www.dcwib.org
SAVE THE DATE

With the summer swimming season quickly approaching, the Dutchess County Department of Health (DCDOH) is hosting a series of Drowning Prevention Seminars to raise awareness about how quickly identify a swimmer in distress. These seminars are open to lifeguards, people who have supervision responsibilities for swimming activities, as well as residents interested in protecting loved ones.

Drowning is often silent, with little splashing or calls for help. A swimmer in distress is usually unable to shout or wave because they are struggling to breathe, and their movements follow predictable – but easily overlooked – patterns. The DCDOH Drowning Prevention Seminars teach participants how to recognize these subtle signs and respond quickly to assist a swimmer in danger.

Each session covers best practices for supervising swimmers, how to identify distress behaviors, and includes an instructional video on drowning victim recognition. Attendees will also review lifeguard duties and responsibilities under DCDOH regulations. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of attendance.

Seating for the seminars is limited. To make a reservation, please contact Joy from DCDOH, Monday-Friday from 9AM - 5PM at (845) 677-4001 or by e-mail to jmass@dutchessny.gov.

DCDOH asks that reservations are made at least two days prior to the event and that all information requests be directed to the department, not the individual seminar sites.

OPWDDFuture Planning 2026 Forums 

This summer, OPWDD will be holding forums across New York State to share updates about our work and hear from you. This year is especially exciting as it will officially kick off our work on our next five-year OPWDD Strategic Plan.

The following in-person and virtual forums have been scheduled:

• Manhattan: June 9, 1PM - 3PM
• Westchester: June 22, 5PM - 7PM
• Albany: July 7, 5PM - 7PM
• Buffalo: July 15, 5:30 -7:30PM
• Binghamton: July 16, 11 AM - 1PM
• Virtual Forum Evening: July 9, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• Virtual Forum Day: July 14, 11AM - 1PM 

This year, forums will be more interactive and give you more opportunities to share your thoughts with OPWDD. At each forum, we’ll give you a chance to share your thoughts on: 

• Navigating the OPWDD system 

• What High Quality Services Mean to You 

• Planning for the future of OPWDD 

You can come in-person or join us online.  You can find event details and sign up on our website using the link below. 

You do not have to register to attend, but we encourage it.  Registration helps us plan for the events and provide supports.  If you need language services or other accommodations, please register and tell us what you need at least 2 weeks before the event.   

These forums are one of many ways to get involved and are just the start of our work on the 2028-2032 OPWDD Strategic Plan.  We will have more opportunities to share feedback as we work together on our plan for the future.  

We want you to be part of the conversation.  We are working together to build a shared vision for the future of OPWDD and the people we support.  The best ideas come from people, families, providers, and staff.  Your experiences, ideas, and voices matter. 

We hope you will join us. 

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center presents

Join Piper Hudson, Professor at Lindenwood University, for a forward thinking webinar that introduces neuroinclusive design as a powerful extension of ADA accessibility practices, placing sensory and cognitive access at the center of inclusion.

Key takeaways:

• Discover how neuroinclusive design expands accessibility beyond traditional ADA compliance.
• Learn practical, low-cost strategies for improving sensory environments, communication access, and environmental predictability.
• Explore how lighting, acoustics, wayfinding, and predictability impact inclusion for neurodivergent individuals and others with invisible disabilities.
• Gain tools to create more welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spaces for all.

Register here: Neuroinclusive Design: Beyond Compliance Toward Sensory-Responsive Accessibility

 ThinkDifferently Fitness and Field Day 

Date: Thursday 6/25/26
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Bowdoin Park 85 Sheafe Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 

Join Us for Summer Fun with Crafts, Resources, Field Games & Fitness Activities!
All ages and abilities welcome!
Free bagged lunch picnic!
RSVP by Monday, June 15th at https://www.dutchessny.gov/TDFieldDay

Questions? Contact Nicole Marino at:
845-486-3568 or at nmarino@dutchessny.gov

SAVE THE DATE 

Walk for Autism & Safety Awareness

Join us at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds for a fun and interactive day of Autism Acceptance and Safety Awareness to kick off summer. Enjoy the fresh air, make connections, and stay healthy and safe, while taking a leisurely stroll around the track.

Date: June 28, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Place: Dutchess County Fairgrounds

Activities include:

• Resource Fair
• Pre-Walk Warm up
• Face Painting
• Activity Stations
• Sensory Friendly Spaces
• Food Available for Purchase
• AND MORE…

For more information More information


Registration and/or sponsorships visit Register Here


Phone number: 1.833.692.7447

Website: https://asghr.org/

Email: communications@asghr.org

(the attached flyer may not be accessible, information on the flyer is written in the narrative above)