Our Bureau
Somerset, NJ
The SKN Foundation proudly announces International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, by its SCOPE (Special Needs Community Outreach Program for Empowerment) program to take place on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM at The Imperia in Somerset, New Jersey.
The evening hosted by Award winning Producer and TV Host Nisha Mathur will shine a spotlight on individuals, community champions, and organizations making extraordinary contributions toward improving the lives of people with disabilities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 data, about 4.3% of U.S. children under age 18 have a disability. Through this celebration, SKN Foundation continues its mission to promote inclusion, advocacy, and culturally sensitive support for children and families with disabilities across the region.
“This event is more than an awards night,” said Dr. Naveen Mehrotra, SKN Foundation Founder. “It’s a celebration of human potential, compassion, and community. Every honoree, family, and partner play a role in creating a more inclusive tomorrow.”
Guests will enjoy an inspiring program featuring:
Recognition of distinguished honorees for their advocacy and leadership.
· Disability Champion For Employment and Career Development-Céline Guillemot & Eric Guillemot of The Blue Bears Special Meals- The Blue Bears Special Meals was created to provide meaningful training and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside their neurotypical peers, fostering confidence, independence, and joy through shared work, food, and friendship.
· Disability Champion For Research and Innovation-Diana Robins, PhD -Director A.J. Drexel Autism Institute- Dr. Robins is best known internationally for her work centered around developing, validating, and refining a widely-used screening tool for Autism Spectrum Disorder , the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, or M-CHAT.
· Disability Champion For Community Support-Venus Majeski Director of Development & Community Relations New Jersey Institute For Disabilities (NJID) – Venus Majeski spearheads the advocacy, public relations and funding initiatives of the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, one of the largest not-for-profit agencies of its kind, serving more than 1500 infants, children and adults with disabilities throughout the state.
· Disability Champion For Advocacy and Rights -Sarah M. Adelman Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services- As the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which serves half of New Jersey’s children and one in four adults, providing healthcare, food and child care assistance, mental health and addiction services, aging and disability services, she oversees the state’s largest cabinet-level agency with a staff of nearly 8,000 and a budget of approximately $29 billion.
· Disability Champion For Medical Excellence– Matthew McDonald, MD. President and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital, RWJ Barnabas which serves over 45,000 patients with unique health challenges annually across 14 New Jersey locations brings a commitment to innovative care delivery with an unwavering dedication to children with special healthcare needs embodying the values of service, inclusion, and compassion.
Heartfelt performances and personal stories from the disability community along with dinner and networking with leaders and supporters dedicated to equity and empowerment
The SCOPE program, an initiative of the SKN Foundation, focuses on supporting South Asian families who navigate the challenges of raising children with special needs. Through workshops, the SCOPE Helpline, and advocacy partnerships, the program bridges cultural and systemic gaps to ensure access to vital services and understanding.
“We believe that when we celebrate abilities—not disabilities—we move closer to a world where every child and adult is valued for who they are,” said Tripti Bhaskaran, Director of the SCOPE program.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2025
Location: The Imperia, 1714 Easton Avenue, Somerset, NJ
Time: 6:00 PM
Tickets and Sponsorships: Available at https://sknfoundation.org/disability-day/
About SKN Foundation
The SKN Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting total wellness—physical, mental, and emotional—among South Asians and the broader community. Through programs like SCOPE (Special Needs Community Outreach program for Empowerment), Sanatan Vidyalay, and the South Asian Center for Diabetes and Heart Health, SKN addresses pressing health and community needs with compassion and cultural competence.
