Free Workshops
Plan your Abilities Expo experience today
Take advantage of Free Workshops that focus on everything from tips for traveling with a disability and home modifications to the trends impacting accessible vehicle innovation.
There's no need to register - just arrive early to get your seat!
Professionals:
Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Accessibility Help Desk following each workshop for your certificate.
* Dates and times of workshops are subject to change without notice. The opinions presented at the workshops are those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Abilities Expo. Workshop content should not be considered as a replacement or substitute for the services of trained professionals in any field, including, but not limited to, financial, medical or legal matters. We encourage you to seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information presented in these workshops.
Friday, June 25, 2021
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Hierarchy of Power Wheelchair Drive Controls: Maximizing Access and Independence
Presented by: Wade Lucas, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Location: Euphoria, 2nd Floor
There are many considerations to make when assessing an individual for power mobility use. The decisions made will impact not only the individual's mobility, but also how they reposition themselves, interact socially, and access their environment. With so many options for drive controls on the market today, how does the assistive technology professional choose a device when the standard joystick is not an option?
This course is designed to introduce the participants to the wide array of specialty controls available on the market and provide insight on the clinical decision-making process of drive control choice. The course will include case studies and a hands-on component for participants to assess the various alternative drive control options.
The session is complimentary, but registration is required. Attendees can earn .4 CEUs. For more information, click here.
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
How to Pay for Everything You See Today. Come Fundraise with Help Hope Live!
Presented by: Sonny Mullen & Kelly Green, Help Hope Live
Location: Workshop
Help Hope Live wants to help you fundraise for everything you see at the Chicago Abilities Expo, from power chairs to adaptive bikes. Come to our workshop to hear more about how we work closely with our Abilities Expo partners to get our clients on their way to independence!
Learn more: www.helphopelive.org
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Accessible Home Design
Presented by: Wayne Broadfield, Paralyzed Veterans of America
Location: Workshop
Can I retrofit my master bathroom to include a spacious roll-in shower? What must I do to install an elevator in my two-story home? How can my flower garden be made more accessible? Who should I hire to make sure my home renovation project will fit my needs? Accessible Home Design: The Basics will address improving the accessibility in each specific area of a home, as well as what you need to know before taking on a renovation project.
Whether it's a new accessible residence or retrofitting your existing home, information will be presented with real examples and case studies. Subject matter will include entering your home; residential elevators and lifts, kitchen design, bathrooms and plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, outdoor areas and gardens and much more.
Learn more: pva.org
Twitter: @PVA1946
Facebook: @ParalyzedVeterans
Instagram: @pva1946
2:30 – 3:30 pm
How to Get Connected in Your Employment Search
Presented by: Martha Younger-White, Senior Vice President, Employment & Rehabilitation Services at The Chicago Lighthouse
Location: Workshop
Are you looking for employment? Do you want to enhance your employability? Do you want to learn about assistive technology? We can help! The Chicago Lighthouse has an educated and experienced team that can offer a variety of programs to prepare you for employment, every step of the way. This workshop will cover some of the benefits and resources to help you attain your employment goals.
Learn more: www.chicagolighthouse.org
3:45 – 4:45 pm
Disability & Special Needs Planning Made Easy
Presented by: Andre Sam, Special Needs Education & Advocacy Project
Location: Workshop
Join us for an informative and educational workshop for family members with loved ones of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or special needs. The topics covered in this workshop include Guardianship & Alternatives to Guardianship, Microboards, Wills, Family Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, SSI, Social Security Retirement/Survivor Benefits, Social Security Disability, Medicaid/Medicare, ABLE Accounts, Budget Planning and Transition Planning.
This workshop will explain why these disability and special needs planning documents are important to have and how they complement each other in an estate plan designed to protect yourself, your family and/or your loved one's current and future quality of life and care. Don't be afraid to plan, be afraid if you don't plan.
Saturday, June 26, 2021
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Disability Works! Integrating Your Disability into your Professional Brand
Presented by: Jason Hartsfield, Disability Inclusion Lead Consultant and Career Advisor
Location: Workshop
In this workshop participants will learn about the components of a professional brand. They will also learn how to tell their disability success story and integrate it into their own professional brand. Finally, participants will learn about relevant policies and their rights as professionals with disabilities.
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Making Mindfulness Meaningful
Presented by: Jay Gupta, RPh, MTM Consultant, C-IAYT & Terry Gupta, MSW, C-IAYT, YACEP, E-RYT500
Location: Workshop
The following workshop is presented by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and is geared toward anyone who lives with paralysis from disease, injury or birth condition and their loved ones. Learn more at www.christopherreeve.org.
Using mindfulness, science says we have the power to effect beneficial brain changes, gene expression and chemical cascades that that can affect our blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose and cholesterol, as well our experience of stress, anxiety, depression, pain, sleep quality and PTSD. We will review the mindfulness research, including research specific to persons with paralysis, discuss how to use mindfulness capsules to enhance health-related quality of life for persons with paralysis, their caregivers and healthcare professionals, as well as provide an experiential mindfulness capsule to add to your daily routines.
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Bounce Children's Foundation: Transforming the lives of children and their loved ones
Presented by: Joan Steltmann, MBA, CEO of Bounce Children's Foundation
Location: Workshop
If your child is battling a chronic illness, he/she lives mostly as a patient; you spend hours managing healthcare; your other children suffer too; and it feels like you're on your own.
Now there is a place to belong and a community of support. Bounce offers totally free programs to combat the isolation and hardship your family faces daily:
- Bounce Bash® – from once-in-a-lifetime to everyday family outings
- Bounce It Forward® – donated tickets to special events
- Bounce Back Kits® – fun-filled family care packages
- Bounce Academy®– strength training for coping skills
- Bounce Net® – a private, safe online community of support
Regardless of disease type or income, Bounce offers a warm and welcoming community of fun & friendship, education & resources, encouragement & hope. We'll be with you 24/7 for as long as it takes—surrounding you with the support you need to shift from surviving to thriving. Come learn more!
3:45 – 4:45 pm
An Introduction to Medical Cannabis
Presented by: Richard Niksic, Curaleaf
Location: Workshop
This educational program will help you gain knowledge and an understanding of the Medical Cannabis Program in the state of Illinois. The presentation will cover basic medical cannabis facts, and misconceptions, as well as the science behind medical cannabis and how it works in our bodies. We will also take an in-depth look at the law, including recent updates, and the application process.
Sunday, June 27, 2021
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
How to get the most out of your next Equipment Evaluation
Presented by: Jill Sparacio, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, ABDA, Occupational Therapist
Location: Workshop
In this workshop we will look at:
- How to navigate the system to get CRT – encourage self-advocacy (what the person wants, what they don't want).
- How do you get the most out of your seating evaluation. What to think about ahead of time, pointing people in the right direction, how to recognize if you don't have the team you need.
- Explore options before making decisions
- Get curious - Identify gaps
- Presenting the information to collaborate as a part of the team – and why?
- Suppliers limited to certain products – parents don't feel like they are getting all of the options – how to know what options are out there?
**Takeaway worksheet or web form that a person could fill out and bring to the evaluation**
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Bounce Children's Foundation: Transforming the lives of children and their loved ones
Presented by: Joan Steltmann, MBA, CEO of Bounce Children's Foundation
Location: Workshop
If your child is battling a chronic illness, he/she lives mostly as a patient; you spend hours managing healthcare; your other children suffer too; and it feels like you're on your own.
Now there is a place to belong and a community of support. Bounce offers totally free programs to combat the isolation and hardship your family faces daily:
- Bounce Bash® – from once-in-a-lifetime to everyday family outings
- Bounce It Forward® – donated tickets to special events
- Bounce Back Kits® – fun-filled family care packages
- Bounce Academy®– strength training for coping skills
- Bounce Net® – a private, safe online community of support
Regardless of disease type or income, Bounce offers a warm and welcoming community of fun & friendship, education & resources, encouragement & hope. We'll be with you 24/7 for as long as it takes—surrounding you with the support you need to shift from surviving to thriving. Come learn more!
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Autism and Transition Services from High School to College
Presented by: Rhonda Parker
Location: Workshop
The focus will be on preparing students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for college and career readiness. The second training will identify resources and strategies to prepare for transition to college or career readiness programs.