The Special Needs Fun Fair was held on June 27 at the Warwick Valley Community Center in Warwick, New York, bringing together families, educators, service providers, and advocates for a day focused on resources, support, and inclusion for individuals of all abilities.
Organized by Diana Alago of New York Life and Wendy Javier, founder of Infinite Heart Initiative, the event aimed to help families discover available services and strengthen community connections.
Alago said the fair was built through outreach and networking. “I partnered with Wendy… I called them, I emailed them and asked them if they wanted to be a part of a fair where they can showcase their services,” she said. She added that organizing the event also came with challenges, including last-minute cancellations.
Finding support, inclusion, and accessibility
A central goal of the fair, Alago said, is helping families find services that best meet their needs and the right providers. “I hope that they can find services that fit their needs,” she said. “And… finding the right provider… maybe it’s not going so well, and you want to try somebody new.”
She encouraged families to explore different options, noting that similar services may vary. “You’ll find that there are many businesses that do the same thing, and maybe you’ll find a company that’s a better fit for you.” Alago said her inspiration came after attending a similar event in New Jersey, where she discovered resources like horse therapy and in-home services. “So I decided to bring it to my hometown,” she said.
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Alago also emphasized that accessibility and planning were key priorities. “We put together a planning team this year because last year I did it by myself,” she said. The team worked with Independent Living to review the venue for wheelchair access and usability. “They do accessibility reviews… to make sure that someone with a wheelchair can come in and move around,” she said, adding that even bathrooms were assessed for accessibility improvements.
For Alago, the message is simple: “There is definitely help out there. If you seek, you will find.”
Resources and advocacy from ‘Think Differently’
The event also featured the Orange County Department of Mental Health initiative “Think Differently,” which provides resources and training for families and community members.
Special project coordinator Berny Vega said, “We want to make sure that the Warwick community has information on the 911 registry for people of all abilities, and county resources for the community.”
She added that inclusion means meeting people where they are. “It means meeting people where they are and including them with all of their abilities and not segregating them because it’s not typical.”
Vega noted that families often need individualized support. “Because it is not typical, you have to go outside of it… that makes it more challenging,” she said. “But that’s why we do these kind of things, so people know they’re not alone.”
Community voices and provider perspectives
Among vendors, Carol A. Vincie, author of A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Your ADD/ADHD Daughter, said she attended to raise awareness and support families. She emphasized that ADHD is often misunderstood, particularly in girls, and that many cases go undiagnosed.
She noted that “male students are at least three times more likely to get diagnosed and treated than their female colleagues,” and warned that lack of recognition can lead to serious emotional consequences. Vincie also highlighted strengths associated with ADHD, such as creativity and high energy, which she said contributed to her own corporate success.
Now focused on advocacy, she seeks speaking opportunities at schools and community organizations. She also encourages practical parenting strategies, including breaking tasks into smaller steps and using positive reinforcement to help children build confidence. “Our brains are in fact wired differently,” she said, adding that inclusion requires recognizing different abilities beyond traditional expectations.
Another vendor, Jennifer Roland of The Social Connection of NY, said the fair helps organizations connect directly with families. “We would love to connect with more people. Inclusion means including everybody, regardless of ability,” she said.
Roland added that her organization tailors programs based on each client’s interests, aiming to keep participants engaged and supported.
Other booths at the fair included Open Doors Educational Advocates, GymGuyz, and additional local providers offering educational support, fitness programs, and family resources.
Building a growing network of support
With free admission, a sensory-friendly space, and activities for all ages, the Special Needs Fun Fair reflected a growing movement in the Hudson Valley to strengthen inclusion and expand access to services.
For organizers and participants alike, the event highlighted the importance of connection, awareness, and shared support within the community.
As Diana Alago summarized, “Inclusion means meeting people where they are… and including them with all of their abilities.”
