VIDEO: Enrichment for the disabled: Baseball, camps and kangaroos

For people with disabilities, life isn't just about getting help.

It's about having fun, discovering adventure and enjoying all of the things that enrich life.

Such is the thinking behind a growing effort at Abilities First, a Poughkeepsie-based nonprofit that provides rehabilitation, education, vocational and residential support services.

The organization held its first expo devoted to things to do and opportunities to adapt at Dutchess Community College on Saturday.

But that is just the beginning.

Next up is a resource guide, followed by outreach to organizations on a more regional level.

"The world at large may not know how capable people are, even though they may require services and support to live full, productive lives," Abilities First CEO Jeffery Fox said. "This is an opportunity to celebrate what people can do, and to create an atmosphere where people can learn about services and resources that are available to them in the community."

Wappingers Falls resident Jessica Doering, 30, got a charge out of getting up close and personal with some of the animals brought to the expo by Two by Two Zoo, based in Pleasant Valley.

"I came to see what's out there," she said.

And there was plenty. Among the activities and services on display:

• A "Challenger" sports league based in LaGrange, offering baseball, bowling, soccer, basketball and cheerleading.
• Camp Huntington, a co-ed, residential camp in High Falls.
• Julie's Jungle, an adaptive and wheelchair-accessible playground in East Fishkill.
• The Seeing Eye, a New Jersey-based school for seeing-eye dogs and their owners.

On Dec. 13 at 8:30 a.m., the Poughkeepsie Galleria mall will open its doors for a special, one-hour photo session with Santa Claus.

"No lights. No music. No traffic in terms of a lot of people in the mall," said Jessica Pecchia, the Galleria's marketing director. "... There is no sense of urgency to move because there are people behind them, so they get to spend as much time as they want. And that's what's really important."

Melissa McCoy, Abilities First's chief advancement officer, said the group will continue to develop points of contact offering entertainment, recreation, sports, travel, adaptive equipment and repairs, furnishings and transportation, among other services.

"It's not just local," McCoy said. "We want it to be regional."

John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro

On the Web

For a video report, visit www.poughkeepsiejournal.com