Developmental Disability News with a Focus on NYS

NYS Rec and Entertainment Starting April 4, 2025

April 3, 2025
The Boost News

Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here. It would be great to have more activities around the state.

DISCOUNT ALERT: Starting this month (April, 2025), all JBFC Kids screenings will offer $5 tickets for everyone — kids and adults alike, Enjoy family-friendly films every Saturday at 11 a.m., plus the monthly sensory friendly screenings all at the new, lower price.

Fri., April 4, 2025: Sensory Story Time at the Pound Ridge Library: Sensory story time for children ages 2 – 6 accompanied by a caregiver. Registration not required.

Fri., April 4, 2025 and Sun., April 6, 2025: 17th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival New York at the Shames JCC on the Hudson: The JCC in Tarrytown is screening three films from the world’s largest showcase of accessible international cinema by and about people with disabilities, reframing existing disability narratives will have.

Sat., April 5, 2025: Beauty & Bonding: Soap and Candle Making: Shames JCC on the Hudson, Tarrytown: A social group for women and all who identify as female and non-binary/gender expansive. This group has been created with the intention of providing a special place for folks identifying as females with disabilities to come together and connect. Cost: Member, $30; Non-Member, $35.

Sat., April 5, 2025 and Sun., April 6, 2025: Branching Out in Brookville, L.I.: An immersive theater production from the Tilles Center for Performing Arts designed for audiences on the autism spectrum as well as visitors with limited movement, sensory or complex communications needs.

Sun., April 6, 2025: Sensory-friendly Despicable Me at Jacob Burns Film Center:  Starting in April, all JBFC Kids screenings will offer $5 tickets for everyone — kids and adults alike, Enjoy family-friendly films every Saturday at 11 a.m., plus the monthly sensory friendly screenings all at the new, lower price.

Mon., April 7, 2025: Blind AF at Jacob Burns Film Center: The documentary is centered on Shawn Cheshire, an army veteran, blind Paralympic champion, and world-record holder who takes on an unprecedented 3,600-mile cross-country bike journey on a single, non-tandem bicycle. Q&A with Director Gina Levay and Cheshire. Presented in partnership with the ReelAbilities Film Festival.

Sat., April 12, 2025: Sensory-friendly A Minecraft Movie at the Bedford Playhouse

Sun., April 13, 2025: Diversability Meetup Club at the Harrison Library: Mingle, make new friends, and enjoy a sensory-friendly movie in a welcoming space. This event will also take place on the following Sundays in 2025: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

Thurs., April 24, 2025: Especially Everyone Open Mic Night at River House: An inclusive open mic. Perform or enjoy the entertainment. Address: 125 River Rd Ext, Cos Cob, Conn.

Mon., April 28,2025: Flag Football with the New York Giants: An evening of football, fun, and community. At Pace University in Pleasantville. For athletes of all abilities. Cost: $25 and includes an official NFL football for autographs. (Able Athletics)

Wed., April 30, 2025: Neurodiversity Celebration Event at the Katonah Village Library

Sat., May 4, 2025:The Especially Everyone Experience, an inclusive concert: At the Shames JCC on the Hudson, Tarrytown. This interactive, sensory-friendly live music event is designed with neurodivergent-informed best practices so that people of all abilities can fully participate.

YEAR-ROUND

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym: There are two New York-based We Rock the Spectrum franchises, one in New Rochelle (Westchester County), the other Staten Island. Locations in Brooklyn and Long Island in the works.

AMC Sensory-friendly films: Ten AMC movie theaters around New York State offering sensory-friendly screenings. Go to the link to find the ones near you.

The Boost’s Guide to the Best Museums for People with Developmental Disabilities Added: Jackie Robinson Museum in Manhattan!

The Boost’s Westchester County Recreation Resource List (Children and Adults) 

I Love NY’s Accessible Places and Programs

Photo: Especially Everyone hosts an inclusive open mic and will put on a high-energy, interactive live music event. See dates above. (Credit: Especially Everyone)