We are thrilled to bring Abilities Expo to the disability community in North Texas. First, we’ll show you all the latest products, tech and game-changing opportunities. Next, you can attend informative workshops on issues that matter to you. Then you can try your hand at a host of different adaptive sports, dancing and fun. After that, let’s all go out for BBQ! Abilities Expo is free, so join us and register today.
Coronavirus Update: As we welcome you back to live, in-person Abilities Expos, please note that we will follow all venue and local regulations regarding COVID-19 safety measures.
Abilities Expo brings you thousands of game-changing products, services and technologies all under one roof. Regardless of the type and level of your disability, we strive to provide the resources you need to exceed your own expectations and thrive.
Attend free, info-packed workshops on issues that matter to you. Get tips on financial planning, making your home more accessible, traveling with a disability and how medical cannabis can help a variety of conditions. There's more, check it out!
Find your new favorite pastime at Abilities Expo! Try such inclusive activities as adaptive sports, dance, assistance animals and so much more for the kids of all ages! If something sparks your interest, you can find out how to engage year-round.
There is just so much to see and do at Abilities Expo. Here are a few opportunities you don't want to let pass you by.
Here's what we did in 2019. Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2020.
Before he became a famous actor, Speechless star Micah Fowler was a long-time Abilities Expo attendee. Now you can meet him in person on Dec. 15! Get you best selfie post ready!
Regardless of your level of ability, YOU can conquer the completely inclusive climbing wall! With adaptive equipment and some coaching from Paralympian Mark Wellman, the summit will be within your reach.
Join the world-famous Rollettes for some hip-hoppin’ dance fun! Get a front row seat for their dynamic performances, then you get to learn their signature dance moves and how they make it look so effortless.
Don’t miss our life-enhancing exhibits, dynamic workshops and fun events for kids of all ages!
View the 2019 Dallas Show Directory
Check back 3 months before the Expo for our exciting 2020 line-up.
In our efforts to ensure a positive show experience, Abilities Expo endeavors to accommodate the disability community with a host of special show services including loaner scooters, sign language interpretation, free wheelchair, captioning services for the workshop and so much more!
For those who would like assistance in getting around the show, free loaner scooters are available during show hours on a first come, first served basis. Is your wheelchair in need of a tune-up? Look to the Free Wheelchair Repair Pavilion for minor maintenance.
American Sign Language interpretation services will be available for those need translation. Workshops will also offer CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services where everything spoken by the presenter will be captioned on a large screen.
Braille and large print versions of the exhibitor list and the events/workshops schedule will be available by request at the registration counters.
Animals have become an intrinsic part of the disability community. Some are essential to the healing process, while others help their human partners become more independent.
Here's what we did in 2019. Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2020.
All About Service Dogs
Canine Companions for Independence – Service Dog Demo
Service Dogs: In & Out – Untangling the Laws on Public Access
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, Canines for Disabled Kids
Discover how service dogs are meeting the needs of people with many different disabilities. Find out the many ways service dogs can help achieve independence in people's lives – from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability, even counting money! Service dogs are available for many different types of disability, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, autism and seizure/allergy alert. Learn about funding support, the process to acquire a dog, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.
Presented by: Colleen Reilly, Canine Companions for Independence
A demonstration from professional trainers at Canine Companions for Independence to show how expertly trained assistance dogs can enhance the lives of children, adults and veterans with a variety of disabilities by assisting with physical tasks.
Presented by: Dorey Petty, Service Dogs, Inc.
In this workshop we will discuss what a service dogs is, as well as addressing service dogs in the law:
We will role play scenarios and discuss appropriate and Inappropriate dog behavior. Fun quizzes – cool prizes.
Dancing is great for the body, and even better for spirit!
Don't miss your change to get in the groove.
Here's what we did in 2019. Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2020.
Ayita Wheelchair Dance Presentation and Class
The Rollettes Los Angeles Presents!
Presented by: Ayita Wheelchair Dance
Meet the young ladies of this amazing Texas-based wheelchair dance troupe! Ayita is a dance class for children who use wheelchairs. Their mission is to inspire, encourage, and build confidence! Abilities Expo is thrilled to welcome these talented young dancers to the show. They will be treating the crowd to thrilling performance. Then it's your chance to join them on the dance floor and learn some new moves at their dance class. Ayita is located in Fort Worth, TX.
Presented by: Ayita Wheelchair Dance
Join us for a high-energy, live performance by The Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. The dance team performs unique and captivating routines across the country as well as sharing their stories of adversity and how through determination and high spirits they've gone on with their lives to fulfill their dreams to dance. Following the performance, it's your turn! Everyone will have a chance to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves.
Treat your kids to a little magic at Abilities Expo! Let them indulge in the fantasy of transforming into a graceful fairy, a mysterious wildcat, a delicate butterfly, a swaggering pirate or choose from another inspired design.
Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for your little one to build self-esteem, develop a sense of self-importance and showcase their individuality. If your child has sensitive skin, don't worry. Only high-quality, non-toxic, professional, FDA-approved theatrical make-ups will be used to capture your son or daughter's fancy. And when you can convince them to transform back into their real selves, some good old-fashioned soap and water will do the trick.
The sidelines are no place for you so take your pick from a variety of interactive, adaptive sports. You’ll get the blood pumping, improve fitness and build confidence
…and the fun factor is off the charts!
Here's what we did in 2019. Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2020.
Accessible/Adaptive Chair Yoga Class
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Drumba Fitness
One World Karate
ParaCheer
Roll with the Wind: Ride-Along Racing Experience
WCMX
Presented by: Jackie Gadd, BYOMOGA
Yoga IS for Every Body—no experience needed. Bring your body (and whatever you need to support). You are invited to attend a playful 45-minute session to experience how yoga can be accessible and beneficial for everyone. This inclusive and accessible program includes breathwork to illustrate the energizing and calming effects yoga can have on the body and mind, and to prepare the body for movement flow.
Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe
Sponsored by: Coloplast
Presented by: Dina Scott, Drumba Fitness
Drumba is a full-body cardio exercise that uses weighted/non-weighted Drumba Stix! It can be done seated or standing. It relieves stress, helps focus, and improves hand/eye coordination working both sides of your brain. It is a fun cardiovascular workout for all ages and abilities.
Presented by: Texas Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Join Texas Adaptive Sports and Recreation for an inclusive and adapted audience participation event from One World Karate. One World Karate specializes in adapting and modifying martial arts instruction to students of all abilities and would like to invite the audience to learn adapted Martial Arts from the instructors which would include some blocking and striking of pads, and various other techniques.
Presented by: ParaCheer Midwest
ParaCheer brings two kinds of athletes together: those with disabilities and those without. Cheerleading, by nature, pushes boundaries and questions limitations, and these athletes are doing just that, modifying stunts and adjusting routines to create something new. ParaCheer Midwest will showcase their skills with a demonstration. Then you are invited to try it for yourselves! Bring your cheer!
Presented by: Ainsley’s Angels of America
Test-drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! For anyone who would otherwise be unable to experience endurance events, Ainsley's Angels creates "Angel Teams" by pairing Athlete riders with runners to compete in endurance events and road races. The Athlete rider is the core of the team and pulls the runner across the finish line with smiles, cheers and immeasurable inspirational spirit.
Presented by: RISE Adapted Sports
Join us to try out WCMX (wheelchair skate). We will have the ramps, chairs, helmets and knee & elbow pads, you just need to bring yourself! (Please note this event was designed for children.)Explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved
ones bridge the gap between ability and disability!
The Abilities Expo AT Showcase, sponsored by the Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) of the University of Texas at Austin, is your chance to explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved ones bridge the gap between ability and disability!
TTAP is dedicated to increasing the access for people with disabilities to AT that offers greater control over their surroundings and an enhanced ability to function independently. They develop programs to improve access, advocacy and awareness of assistive technology to meet the needs of Texans with disabilities.
Utilizing specially adapted art tools, kids of all abilities can discover their inner artist.
Here's what we did in 2019. Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2021.
Not only is this activity completely accessible and a tremendous opportunity for kids to express themselves, they get to take their creation home with them! Hope there's room on the fridge. Stop by booth 357 and join the fun!
Dallas Market Hall
2200 N Stemmons Fwy.
Dallas, TX 75207
Parking is free. Spaces are located directly in front of the Hall's entrance and in the adjacent 3-level parking garage. If you would like to drop off any passengers before you park, please do so at the front of the hall before proceeding to park.
Visit Dart.org to plan your trip to Abilities Expo.
Local disability activists spearhead Abilities Expo's community outreach initiatives.
Meet the impressive individuals who have chosen to represent Abilities Expo to the Community.
Gina lost her right leg below the knee as the result of a car accident 16 years ago. As she delved into the world of adaptive sports, she was continually in search of volleyball opportunities for women with disabilities. She finally found them when asked to attend the first ever women’s sitting volleyball camp, held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, in February 2003.
Dylan Rafaty of Plano serves as the Vice Chair of the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. Dylan is currently Director of Business Development & Partnerships for C-Hear, Inc., a company that developed a way to make images accessible and heard. He is Founder / Chief Navigation Officer for DylanListed, LLC, a transition and support services provider for people with disabilities and veterans. Dylan also proudly sits on seven boards/committees benefiting local school districts, nonprofits and community organizations.
I went to SMU, Meadows School of the Arts, on a music scholarship pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education, hoping to be a professional opera singer. My life took a drastic turn in 1997 when I was hit by a car in front of my childhood home, which altered my path as a classically trained opera singer. This experience, as well as other life changes I experienced as a teenager, made me re-think what I was going to do with my life.
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