Activities, Demonstrations, and Special Events!
Here is the 2023 Abilities Expo line-up.
Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2024.
Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of activities and demonstrations! So you can try sports and dance, learn about service dogs, discover ways to be fit, and connect to programs in the local area.
All events take place in the Auti Angel Events Arena unless otherwise noted.
There's a lot to explore at Abilities Expo Dallas! Check out the Exhibitors and Workshops!
* The dates, times, topics, and speakers for these events are subject to change without notice. The opinions presented at the events are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Abilities Expo. Event 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 events.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Coloplast and Mark Wellman, No Limits
Location: Booth #551
Come climb on an indoor climbing wall! Adaptive climbing is possible for people of ALL abilities! Meet the best person to learn adaptive climbing from - Mark Wellman! Mark has a spinal cord injury (SCI) and is an adventure athlete, speaker, and author. Climb the wall at Abilities Expo Dallas using Mark's innovative adaptive climbing techniques and gear! Learn about climbing's benefits: building confidence, developing goal-setting skills, increasing strength, and improving flexibility. It's fun!
Learn more at Mark's website nolimitstahoe.com.
Artist Market
Presented by: Achievement Through the Arts
Location: Booth #245
Achievement Through The Arts challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating an arts-inspired, inclusive community of individuals with diverse abilities. They are a group of artists dealing with mental illness, a creative support group that encourages artists to achieve.
Assistive Technology Showcase
Presented by: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP)
Location: Booth #235
Explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved ones bridge the gap between ability and disability! See and try a selection of assistive technology, with options for all disabilities. TTAP staff are available to offer suggestions and share their extensive knowledge. To help you find the most appropriate technology for your abilities and needs. TTAP develops programs to improve access, advocacy, and awareness of Assistive Technology to meet the needs of Texans with disabilities.
Learn more at the TTAP website.
Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth
Presented by: FEMA Region 6
Location: Booth #239
Meet representatives of disability and emergency management organizations who are active in emergency planning and are working to ensure the Houston and greater Texas region will be more resilient when disaster strikes. Gain vital personal preparedness tips to help you create realistic plans to meet your needs, maintain your independence, and recover from emergency and disaster situations. Share your questions and concerns! Pick up free information and resources!
Learn more! National resources available at ready.gov/disability. Texas resources available at texasready.gov.
Sports Zone
Presented by: RISE Adaptive Sports
Location: Booth #250 (Near Events Arena)
Come on out for your chance to try out all sorts of adaptive sports! Sit volleyball, wheelchair football, wheelchair skate, wheelchair rugby, hand cycling and more! See these sports in action, try them for yourself, and ask questions to find a sport to be a part of. This event is presented by RISE Adaptive Sports, who assists people with physical challenges to "Recover, Inspire, Succeed and Empower" themselves and others by providing inclusive adaptive recreational sports programs.
Learn more! Visit RiseAdapriveSports.org.
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life. Assisting with all types of tasks, from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability to counting money, and more! Service dogs are available for people with many different disabilities, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, Autism, and seizure/allergy alert. Learn about how one acquires a service dog, the support available to assist with covering the costs, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.
Learn more at CDK's website.
Adaptive Golf
Presented by: Gianna Rojas, The One Handed Lady Golfer and Founder, AdaptiveGolfers.org
Location: Events Arena
The game of golf provides a wonderful recreation opportunity for all. But golf is so much more than just a leisure game or a sport. It can be a therapeutic activity for individuals with different (not dis-) ABILITIES. Adaptive golf means understanding how to apply one's own ABILITIES to enjoy golf by making modifications (big or small) to how the game is learned, swing techniques, equipment used, and the delivery of instruction to allow an individual to play golf to their fullest potential. Come try the sport at this interactive demo!
Learn more at adaptivegolfers.org and watch a video about the journey of adaptive golf.
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Founder, W.O.W. Fitness & Wellness
Location: Events Arena
Ready to have a lot of fun and work out at the same time? Come experience a WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class! The class features movements for seated students and is taught by a seated instructor. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!
Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life. Assisting with all types of tasks, from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability to counting money, and more! Service dogs are available for people with many different disabilities, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, Autism, and seizure/allergy alert. Learn about how one acquires a service dog, the support available to assist with covering the costs, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.
Learn more at CDK's website.
Face Painting
Presented by iPaint
Location: Next to the Events Arena
Enjoy your whimsical side with artistry that transforms your look and it's all about imagination! Visit the professional face painter - choose from fairies, flowers and butterflies to your favorite animals, pirates, Superheroes and beyond. For younger expo attendees under the age of 18. All products used are water-based and tested for use on skin.
Wheelchair Lacrosse
Presented by: Louis Nicolosi and the Houston Apollos Wheelchair Lacrosse Team
Location: Behind Events Arena
Lacrosse is a fast-paced, full contact sport utilizing numerous skills to catch, carry, pass, and shoot a ball into a goal using a lacrosse stick. It is a great off-season companion sport to basketball with the season running between the months of May to August. Wheelchair lacrosse offers the complete package—the speed of basketball, the skill of hockey, and the toughness of rugby. Come out and learn about this exciting sport and try it for yourself!
Learn more at facebook.com/HoustonWheelchairLacrosse.
Help Hope Live Adaptive Bike Giveaway
Presented by: Sonny Mullen and Kelly L. Green, Help Hope Live
Location: Booth #218
National medical fundraising nonprofit Help Hope Live will present a Freedom Concepts customized adaptive bike to 15-year-old Hallie and her family. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 10 and her left leg was amputated right after she turned 11.
She has also dedicated her young life to advocating for childhood cancer awareness and fundraising to find better treatment options and potential cures. Over the last 5 years, Hallie has raised more than $200,000 towards research. She also advocates for the need of bone marrow donors and through her charity, Hallie's Heroes. More than 8,000 people have been registered into the National Bone Marrow Registry and 300 patient lives have been saved through matches. Being awarded this bike is just another extension of freedom and independence that Hallie enjoyed before her cancer diagnosis.
Funding for this giveaway is made possible through a partnership between the Help Hope Live (Booth #218) and the Esther & Pedro Rosenblatt Foundation.
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Founder, W.O.W. Fitness & Wellness
Location: Events Arena
Ready to have a lot of fun and work out at the same time? Come experience a WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class! The class features movements for seated students and is taught by a seated instructor. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome! Learn how you can work out with WOW virtually from where you live!
Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.
Ayita Wheelchair Dance Performance and Class
Presented by: Ayita Wheelchair Dance
Location: Events Arena
Meet the young ladies of this amazing Texas-based wheelchair dance troupe! Ayita is a dance class for children who use wheelchairs with a mission 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 dance classes take place in Fort Worth, TX. Learn more! Visit them at their Facebook page.
Wheelchair Basketball
Presented by: Dallas Junior Wheelchair Mavs
Location: Events Arena
Wheelchair basketball 
is a fast-paged game for those with a permanent lower extremity disability that precludes then from playing competitive stand up basketball. When the sport began it was only for those with spinal cord injuries; now people with many types of disabilities can play. You don't need to be a full-time wheelchair user although you do need to use a wheelchair when playing the sport. There's lots to learn about this sport! Come watch local players and have a chance to try the sport for yourself!
Learn more at dallasjuniorwheelchairmavericks.org.
Tennis for All!
Presented by: Dallas Wheelchair Tennis Club and USTA Texas
Location: Events Arena
Come discover how tennis offers opportunities for anyone to play and enjoy the sport! Join us to try both wheelchair tennis and adaptive standing tennis. Learn how you can play wheelchair tennis with USTA Texas. Meet Jeff Bourns, who helped popularize and pioneer the growth and development of organized Adaptive Standing Tennis. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Learn more! Visit the USTA Texas websiteWheelchair Pickleball
Presented by: Jamie Bunch Elliott, Wheelchair Pickleballers and Pam Fontaine, U.S. Paralympian
Location: Events Arena
Pickleball is a fun sport that is gaining popularity among people of all ages. Players use a paddle and wiffle ball plus a sport chair if needed. The game combines elements of ping pong, tennis, and badminton. Come try pickleball for yourself and see if this could be your new adaptive sport! Find out how you can play in the Dallas region.
Learn more at the Wheelchair Pickleballers Facebook Group.
Face Painting
Presented by iPaint
Location: Next to the Events Arena
Enjoy your whimsical side with artistry that transforms your look and it's all about imagination! Visit the professional face painter - choose from fairies, flowers and butterflies to your favorite animals, pirates, Superheroes and beyond. For younger expo attendees under the age of 18. All products used are water-based and tested for use on skin.
Adaptive Soccer
Presented by: Lone Star Adaptive Soccer
Location: Events Arena
Adaptive soccer offers the opportunity for athletes of all ages and with a variety of limb differences to play soccer in both recreational and competitive settings. Come learn about this sport, watch a demonstration, see the equipment, and even try it for yourself!
Learn more at lonestaradaptivesoccer.org.
Adaptive Dance Workshop and Performance
Presented by: Jasmine's Beat Adaptive Dance Company
Location: Events Arena
Discover adaptive dance with Jasmine's Beat! Learn about this innovative dance company and all that they do. You can even join in the dance performance. Learn simple dance moves, practice with the dancers, and perform the dance! You'll also learn how to take dance classes with the company. The styles of dance shown will be adaptive fusion and will be a mixture of American Sign Language, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Bollywood. The goal of this event is to show how you can have fun, make friends, and gain traction on attaining therapeutic goals with dance. All Jasmine's Beat instructors are either therapists or trained individuals with experience working with students of all ages and all disabilities.
Learn more at JasminesBeat.com.