Latest Tech & Disability Products
Abilities Expo brings you thousands of game-changing tech, products and services. Regardless of the type and level of your disability, we strive to provide resources you need.
Dial Up Your Independence
at Abilities Expo
T
hree days. One roof. Endless access to the latest products, technologies and resources for the disability community! Get ready for an all-inclusive climbing wall, a ton of adaptive sports & dance, info-packed workshops and so much more. It's all free so join us and register today.
Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
Informative Workshops
Attend free, info-packed workshops on issues that matter to you. Get tips on travel, finances, making your home accessible and sensory processing. There's more, check it out!
Interactive Events and Features
Try such inclusive activities as adaptive sports, dance and so much more for kids of all ages! If something sparks your interest, you can find out how to engage year-round.
Must-See and Can't-Miss Expo Experiences
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.
Cool Show Features
Unleash Your Inner Artist
With their ingenious adaptive art tools, Zot Artz will help kids of all abilities channel their creative energies into an especially fridge-worthy masterpiece to take home with them.
Scale the Adaptive Rock Wall
If you thought your climbing days were behind you, think again! Whatever your ability, YOU can conquer the completely inclusive climbing wall with the help of adaptive equipment.
Source Funds for What Your See
The tech out there can supercharge your independence, but the price tag can be overwhelming. Attend the Help Hope Live workshop to unlock your fundraising potential.
Plan Your Visit to Abilities Expo
Don't miss our life-enhancing exhibits, dynamic workshops and fun events for all ages!
Calendar
All Day, Every Day
Friday, October 13, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
1:00 – 2:00pm An Overview of Innovations Coming Soon for Medical Care, Home Access, and Recreation Workshop
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Disability Services for Expo-goers
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!
Special Show Services for People with Disabilities
Loaner Scooters & W/C Repair
Free loaner scooters are available during show hours on a first come, first served basis. Wheelchair need a tune-up? Swing by the Sunrise Medical Free Wheelchair Repair Pavilion for minor maintenance.
Sign Language and CART Services
American Sign Language interpretation will be available for those who need translation. All workshops are captioned through CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services.
Large Print Accommodations
Large print versions of the exhibitor list and the events/workshops schedule will be available on demand. Please request your copy at the registration counters.
Assistance Animals Play Critical Role
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.
Service Dogs
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, Canines for Disabled Kids
Friday, October 13: 12:00 - 12:45pm
Saturday, October 14: 1:00 - 1:45pm
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.
Learn the Latest Adaptive Dance Moves
Dancing is great for the body, and even better for spirit! Don't miss your change to
get in the groove while improving fitness, strength and endurance.
Inclusive Dance Performances
Physically Integrated Dance!
Presented by: Karen Peterson Dancers
Saturday, October 14: 2:00 - 2:30pm
Come enjoy an incredible physically-integrated dance performancance by the first full-time dance company in Florida that performs choreography by dancers with and without disabilities. This will be followed by a workshop facilitated by the dancers for audience members—an opportunity for everyone to dance! Karen Peterson Dancers was founded in 1990 and is an award-winning dance company that "is redefining dance." (Joanne Green, Miami New Times).
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Founder, W.O.W. Fitness & Wellness
Friday, October 13: 2:00 - 2:30pm
Saturday, October 14: 12:00 - 12:45pm
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!
Get in the Game with Adaptive Sports
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!
Adaptive Sports
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Wheelchair Basketball
Handcycling
Kayaking and Rowing Land Demonstration
Sports Zone
Tennis for All!
Wheelchair Rugby
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe
Sponsored by: Coloplast
The Adaptive Climbing Wall is open to people of all abilities! There is no better person to learn adaptive climbing from than Mark Wellman of No Limits. Mark is a former Paralympian and Park Ranger, and he is the first paraplegic to summit El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Come climb the wall using Mark's innovative adaptive climbing techniques and adaptive sports gear. Climbing has tremendous benefits—building confidence, developing goal-setting skills, increasing strength and improving flexibility.
Wheelchair Basketball
Presented by: Memorial's Fort Lauderdale Sharks
Saturday, 3:00pm – 3:45pm
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.
Handcycling
Presented by: Shifting Gears United
Friday, 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Discover how you can participate in cycling! A handcycle is a type of human-powered land vehicle powered by the arms rather than the legs, as on a bicycle. Come learn more about this sport that got its start in the 1980's.
Kayaking and Rowing Land Demonstration
Presented by: Shifting Gears United
Saturday, 4:00pm – 4:45pm
Discover the water sports of kayaking and rowing! Both sports offer the opportunity for relaxed enjoyment of the outdoors or competing at a high level. At this event you can learn about land instruction, local programs, and have an opportunity to see and try the equipment.
Sports Zone
Presented by: Shifting Gears United
All Day, Every Day
Come explore outdoor sports and recreation! Try sports like handcycling, kayaking, and rowing. While we won't have water or a bike path at the show – you will have the chance to learn how to train for all of these sports on land using land-training equipment, ergs, and trainers.
Tennis for All!
Presented by: USTA Florida
Saturday, October 14: 3:00 - 3:45pm
Sunday, October 15: 1:00 - 1:45pm
Come discover the most inclusive wheelchair sport, tennis! Join us to try the sport and learn about opportunities for recreational and competitive play. Meet local USTA Florida tennis service representatives and find out how you can play tennis in your area! All ages and abilities are welcome!
Wheelchair Rugby
Presented by: South Florida Rattlers Wheelchair Rugby Team
Sunday, October 15: 11:45am - 12:45pm
Wheelchair rugby is often described as a combination of football, hockey and basketball in a wheelchair. Any individual with impairments in three or more extremities may be eligible to play. This may include but is not limited to spinal cord injury, post-polio and cerebral palsy. Enjoy a demo of this dynamic sport and even try it out for yourself!
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Friday, October 13: 2:00 - 2:30pm
Saturday, October 14: 12:00 - 12:45pm
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; however, standing participants are also welcome. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba and pom-pom dance.
Experience Creativity with Zot Artz
Help your kids discover their inner artist with innovative adaptive art tools.
Inclusive Art
Come paint with Zot Artz! Kids love making art and so do we! Everyone can stamp and print to make their mark. Each participant will take home an original work of art and a joyful moment. Please plan 5-15 minutes for the painting activity.
Getting to Abilities Expo
Broward County Convention Center
1950 Eisenhower Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Directions, Parking and Transpo
From the Interstate North or South
Florida Turnpike or I-95. Exit I-595 East to US-1 North (Federal Highway). US-1 (Federal Highway) to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center main entrance is SE 20th Street.
From the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood Airport
US-1 North (Federal Highway) to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center main entrance is SE 20th Street.
From A1A Highway South
A1A South turns into SE 17th Street. Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center main entrance is SE 20th Street.
From US-1 (Federal Highway) North or South
US-1 (Federal Highway) to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center main entrance is SE 20th Street.
From A1A Highway North
A1A North to East Dania Beach Boulevard. East Dania Beach Boulevard US-1 North (Federal Highway). US-1 North to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center main entrance is SE 20th Street.
Parking & Drop-off
Parking is $15/day. If you are dropping a passenger off, please do so at the front entrance of Hall A as indicated on the map below. Then follow the red line to the Convention Parking Garage.
Transpo to the Expo
Broward County Convention Center Catch the Wave Program
The Catch the Wave program is a complimentary shuttle service that will pick up attendees from their vehicle and will drop them off at the Skywalk Bridge entrance located on the 2nd Foor of the BCCC garage.
Meet the Ambassadors
Local disability activists spearhead Abilities Expo's community outreach initiatives.
Ambassador Program
Meet the impressive individuals who have chosen to represent Abilities Expo to the Community.
Lorry Burgr
Lorry, a woman with Spina Bifida, became involved with disability causes in college. She saw the need for advocacy so started a group called Breaking Down the Barriers. It was designed to support and encourage accessibility and acceptance throughout campus.
Upon graduating, she moved to Florida and worked with those with developmental disabilities for many years as an instructor at a sheltered workshop.
Ryan Gebauer
Ryan Gebauer has led a very interesting life. In June 1995, when he was only 16 years old, Ryan and his friends were climbing a tree in his neighborhood, as teenagers often do. When Ryan jumped out of that tree into the lake below, his world was changed forever. Ryan lost balance, landed in the water breaking his neck at the C3-4 level and leaving him paralyzed. He was hospitalized for six months following his injury. During that time, he had numerous surgeries, went through rehabilitation, and generally learned how to live as a quadriplegic.
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