When my son was three years old, a physical therapist at his school’s equipment clinic told us about the Abilities Expo. We were trying to order his first pediatric wheelchair, and the equipment clinic didn’t have any for us to sample.
We took her advice, but the first time I stepped foot inside the expo, I was overwhelmed. Hundreds of booths, thousands of people, many with a wide range of disabilities, and a big, noisy room caught me off guard. I was still adjusting to my son’s diagnosis and the fact that he even needed a wheelchair.
This year, I’ll be attending the expo for the 10th time, and I know what to expect. I look forward to visiting with friends, checking out new booths, and learning about the latest advancements for the disability community.
Looking back, here are a few things I recommend to anyone going for the first time:
Order tickets in advance
The expo does a great job of advertising when they will be in town. Tickets are free and easy to get ahead of time. It makes checking in, once you arrive, much easier. There isn’t a good reason not to register early.
Know that parking might be tight
The parking lot can get hectic, especially with so many people needing the few accessible spots. If two adults attend the expo, drop one off with the kids at the door while the other parks.
Be strategic with the day and time you visit the expo
Different days and times also have more foot traffic than others. If you don’t want to deal with mid-day crowds, get there early or late to avoid the rush. “Go on Friday if you can, when it’s less crowded,” says Jessica Bondi, whose 13-year-old son has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.
Make a plan
That first year, I was at the expo to check out pediatric wheelchairs. I should have made a list of the vendors I wanted to see, looked up information online, and scoped them out as soon as I arrived, especially before I lost some of my steam.
Allison Conrad, whose 14-year-old daughter has Rett Syndrome, visited the expo for the first time in 2025. “[Next time,] I would look up the map ahead of time and plan out which vendors we would like to see,” says Conrad. “We winged it, and it was a bit chaotic, but still informative.”
Also, speakers have specific time slots, and they might not be in attendance the rest of the weekend. I wish I had looked at the calendar and plotted out my time better.
Visit twice, if possible
As a mom of three young kids, one with severe disabilities, when they were little, just getting them out of the house was an accomplishment. Over the years, I’ve attended the expo once on my own (usually on a Friday when the kids are at school) and again with my family later that weekend. The time on my own gave me the chance to think, chat with representatives and get information without worrying about my kids. But going with them gave me time to see my son in some of the equipment, and have my children get used to the environment, since it was a different experience for all of us.
“If your child has limited patience/energy for crowds, shopping, etc., consider going on a scouting mission solo and then going back with your child (or bring another adult who can hang out with your child/children so you can focus),” agrees Bondi.
Make it fun
The expo is on the weekend when family is supposed to hang out together. I’ve always tried to make the experience fun by letting my other two kids eat the candy at the booths and giving them space to explore. Meet the parrots, check out accessible cars and RVs, and buy inclusive merchandise.
Or make other arrangements for siblings, so you can have one-on-one time with your disabled child. “When my kids were younger, they both had fun going to the expo, but as they grew older, my non-disabled son didn’t want to go anymore (it was boring for him, and it was a lot of attention on his brother),” says Bondi. “So I started making other plans for him on the day the rest of us went to the expo. This worked out better for all of us.”
Take breaks!
There’s a lot going on at the expo, but it took me a while to realize there are seats in the back and snacks available for purchase. Take a break, sit, meet people and pace yourself. You get more out of it by staying longer and taking your time, so you don’t burn out.
Get information now and research more later
Many of the vendors have brochures and pamphlets. Get a business card from the representative you chat with so you can go home and do more research. There might be a way to get equipment covered through insurance or other means. However, keep in mind that some vendors may offer on-site discounts, so it may be cost-effective to make a purchase right away. Doing research is key.
Also, the representatives are there to answer your questions. Don’t be shy and get the information you need. “Go with an open mind and spend time asking the right questions for your child,” says Tatiana Martinez, whose 12-year-old son has MCT8-AHDS.
Embrace the experience
The expo is one of the only places I know where so many different people with disabilities and their families gather at the same time. Meet people, make friends, and feel comfortable and confident in a space that accepts you and your family as they are, without judgment. The disability community, and those who support it, are an amazing group of people. Embrace them.
