West Orange, NJ – September 16, 2026 – Kessler Foundation, a global leader in rehabilitation research, will host Fall Fest, “A Celebration of Inclusion, Accessibility, and Community,” on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Kessler Campus, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, New Jersey.
The free, accessible, family-friendly event will bring together people with disabilities, caregivers, researchers, community partners, and supporters for an afternoon of connection, discovery, and impact. Attendees can wander the pumpkin patch, enjoy food trucks, take part in hands-on crafts and adaptive activities, play accessible games, connect with community resources and organizations, and experience research demonstrations led by Kessler Foundation scientists.
More than a seasonal celebration, Fall Fest gives the disability community a welcoming space to gather, explore innovations that support greater independence and participation, and help raise critical funds for disability and rehabilitation research.
Fall Fest began 25 years ago as Stroll ‘N Roll, a community fundraiser dedicated to advancing opportunities and independence for people with disabilities. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the Foundation's signature events, welcoming hundreds of attendees each year while raising critical support for groundbreaking disability and rehabilitation research.
“At Kessler Foundation, we see every day how research can transform lives. Fall Fest gives our community a chance to come together, celebrate that impact, and help drive the discoveries that will shape the future of disability inclusion and rehabilitation,” said Michele Pignatello, chief development officer and vice president of Development and Communications.
Every dollar raised at Fall Fest helps move Kessler Foundation research forward, supporting discoveries that help people with disabilities strengthen mobility, improve cognition, increase independence, and participate more fully in their communities.
This generosity has helped make meaningful progress possible—from rehabilitation technologies that support people with paralysis, to interventions that improve cognition after traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis, to solutions that expand opportunity, inclusion, and community participation.
That commitment is exemplified by FBT Gibbons, Fall Fest’s presenting sponsor, which has supported the event for two decades. This year’s Fall Fest is chaired by Robert Rudnick, partner at FBT Gibbons, reflecting the firm’s long-standing dedication to Kessler Foundation’s mission.
“Kessler Foundation's work directly transforms the lives of the individuals and families across our community,” said Rudnick. “We are proud to support Fall Fest and celebrate a mission advancing breakthrough research and increasing independence for people with disabilities.”
The Foundation invites community members, families, businesses, and organizations to attend, sponsor, or exhibit at this year’s event. Guests who make a gift of $25 or more will receive a Fall Fest T-shirt. To register, make a gift, or learn more, visit KesslerFoundation.org/Fall-Fest or contact Shelby Grimaldi, assistant director, Individual Giving and Communications, at [email protected] or 973.324.8430.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, founded in 1985, is a New Jersey-based nonprofit and global leader in rehabilitation research committed to changing the lives of people with disabilities. By conducting groundbreaking research, Kessler Foundation advances recovery and fosters independence to build a more inclusive and accessible world.
Our team of award-winning scientists develop and test novel interventions to transform care and optimize mobility, cognition, and quality of life for people with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism, and other neurological and developmental disabilities. By analyzing community and workforce participation, developing evidence-based solutions, and funding impactful community initiatives that expand employment opportunities, Kessler Foundation also addresses barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities.
Powered by a dedicated team of over 175 professionals funded by federal and state grants and private philanthropy, Kessler Foundation is redefining what is possible in rehabilitation care and recovery. For more information, visit kesslerfoundation.org.
