Long Beach, CA (February 17, 2026) – Fedcap and Abilities Expo today announced a national partnership that will deliver a first-of-its-kind adaptive fashion, beauty and lifestyle experience debuting at Abilities Expo Los Angeles (Long Beach) on March 27-29, then expanding to the New York Metro (May 1-3) and Chicago (June 12-14) Expos.
As part of the collaboration, Fedcap’s the Runway of Dreams Foundation will serve as the official Fashion and Beauty Partner of Abilities Expo, while GAMUT Management will serve as the event’s official Certification Partner.
Abilities Expo Becomes First Event to Earn the GAMUT Seal of Approval™
The 2026 Abilities Expo series will also mark the first event ever to receive the GAMUT Seal of Approval™, recognizing excellence in physical accessibility, disability specific training for consumer support and authentic marketing in disability language and imagery.
“This partnership signals a new level for event production,” said Mindy Scheier, Founder of GAMUT Management. “By achieving GAMUT’s Seal of Approval, Abilities Expo is defining the standard that all events should achieve to meet and exceed the needs of the disability community as they attend events.”
Each host city will feature a dedicated GAMUT Village activation, showcasing GAMUT-certified fashion, beauty and lifestyle products. Attendees will enjoy daily adaptive fashion shows and be able to explore and test products onsite, purchase through point-of-sale and have sizes shipped directly to their homes—combining hands-on experience with seamless accessibility.
Runway of Dreams Adaptive Fashion Shows and Lifestyle Showcase Comes to Abilities Expo
“Abilities Expo has spent more than four and a half decades creating a place where people with disabilities can discover solutions, gain greater independence and connect with the community,” said Katy Roberts, Managing Director of Abilities Expo. “This partnership expands that mission by bringing recognized certification as well as enhanced adaptive fashion and lifestyle showcases directly to our attendees, starting in Long Beach.”
The high-energy runway shows featured at each Expo weekend will spotlight adaptive fashion from both established and emerging designers. By sourcing local talent in every city, the shows will serve not only as fashion presentations, but as powerful moments of community engagement by expanding awareness of what adaptive design can and should be.
Through this partnership, Fedcap brings its proven track record of building national-scale platforms that connect purpose-driven brands with engaged audiences. With the combined strength of Runway of Dreams and GAMUT Management, the Abilities Expo experience will be elevated through bold programming, trusted certification and high-impact visibility for brand partners—adding fresh energy and momentum to an already iconic event.
“Fedcap’s mission has always been about expanding opportunity and creating pathways to participation for communities facing barriers,” said Christine McMahon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fedcap. “Through Runway of Dreams and GAMUT Management, this partnership brings together innovation, credibility and scale—helping brands reach consumers in meaningful ways while advancing the future of adaptive fashion, beauty and lifestyle.”
About Fedcap
For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. The Fedcap Group drives economic mobility through four practice areas—education, workforce development, health and economic development. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded and delivered. For more information visit www.fedcapgroup.org.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation
RoDF is a public charity that is empowering people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through inclusion in fashion and beauty. RoDF advocates for everybody to have access to fashion and beauty by celebrating and encouraging innovation that is exciting and empowering. RoDF raises awareness through large-scale runway shows, campaigns for inclusion, educational programs that inspire and develop the next generation of design innovators and marketing leaders; and advocates on the need and necessity of inclusion through resources and thought-provoking panels.
About GAMUT Management
GAMUT Management is a trailblazing consulting, talent and accreditation company exclusively working with and for people with disabilities. GAMUT partners with companies to find authentic ways to engage with, create products for and represent people with disabilities. It is also a disruptive talent management company with expertise in properly casting, managing and developing talent with disabilities exclusively. With these offerings and the GAMUT Seal of Approval™, GAMUT is changing the landscape of disability inclusion. GAMUT Management was founded in 2019 by Mindy Scheier, a fashion designer, mom of a son with a disability and the pioneer behind the inclusive fashion movement.
Contact:
Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200, [email protected]
Kevaleen Lara, 310-210-3138, [email protected]
