FREE workshops!
Take advantage of Free Workshops that focus on many topics from traveling with a disability and how to pay for everything you see at the show to improving the access of your home, maximizing the use of your wheelchair joystick, the benefits of self-care, and much more!
There's no need to register in advance for the workshops. Just arrive early to each session to get your seat!
There's a lot going on at Abilities Expo Fort Lauderdale! Be sure to also check out the Exhibitors and Events.
Professionals:
Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Accessibility Help Desk during the show for information on how to obtain a certificate. Certificate recipients must be registered attendees at the show.
* Workshop dates, times, topics, and speakers 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, October 13, 2023
11:00am – 1:00pm
Clinically Speaking: The Power of Power Seat Functions
Presented by: Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS, Quantum Rehab
Location: Room #303
This course will examine the coverage criteria, clinical benefits, and research in support of the mechanical means to change one's position in a complex rehab power wheelchair. It will also provide clinicians with practical tools for evaluating and documenting the medical need for power tilt, power recline, power leg elevation, power seat elevation and anterior tilt.
The session is complimentary, but registration is required. Attendees can earn .2 CEUs. For more information, click here.
11:45am – 12:45pm
Accessible Home Design: The Basics
Presented by: Rachel Krishnan, AIA, Project Manager, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
Location: Workshop Area
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 at pva.org/accessibledesign and the popular book from PVA: Accessible Home Design: Solutions for the Wheelchair User, Second Edition.
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Maximizing Function in Joystick Driving
Presented by: Tim Brown, Southeast Regional Manager, Stealth Products
Location: Workshop Area
This hands-on workshop will provide a basic to intermediate level understanding of how joysticks are used to communicate with the mobility base of your wheelchair. Explore how product variations and configurability are used to maximize function, and considerations for adapting to your changing needs. Topics we will discuss include:
- Intro to basic joystick function
- Joystick styles and application
- Configurability
- Adaptability to change
Learn more at stealthproducts.com.
2:30pm - 3:30pm
What is HBOT and How Does It Work?
Presented by: Dr. Jason Sonners, HBOT USA
Location: Workshop Area
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, commonly called HBOT, is a therapy that is FDA-Approved for 14 conditions. It is also used off-label to treat additional conditions. At this workshop learn what HBOT is and how it works in the body. Find out which conditions benefit from HBOT and how you can access this therapy for yourself. The different types of HBOT chambers will be discussed, along with how HBOT can be used in combination with other therapies. After this workshop you'll gain a better understanding of when this therapy is appropriate and how it can help certain individuals.
Learn more at hbotusa.com.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
11:45am - 12:45pm
Accessible Travel Adventures with Sylvia Longmire
Presented by: Sylvia Longmire, Accessible Travel Writer and Disability Rights Activist, Spin the Globe
Location: Workshop Area
Join Sylvia Longmire, award-winning accessible travel blogger, as she shares accessible travel tips and tricks to make your next adventure as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. She will also share fun and engaging stories as a solo wheelchair traveler, taken from her book, What Happened to You. The book will be available at the Expo, and Sylvia will be signing copies for attendees at the WHILL Booth #313.
Learn more at spintheglobe.net.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
An Overview of Innovations Coming Soon for Medical Care, Home Access, and Recreation
Presented by: David W. McMillan, PhD, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Location: Workshop Area
Discover new technology and innovations in the works to improve your life at the clinic, home, and in sports and recreation! Join us at this workshop for a broad view of what is coming down the pike. Dr. McMillan will share news about what you can expect in three major areas of life. He'll begin with news from medical research, including devices, drugs, and biologics such as cell therapies. Then it's on to the home and what is being explored to improve access in that setting. Finally he'll share exciting updates that will impact sports and recreation. Some of what is new is quite simple, while other items are technologically pretty advanced. Regardless there are exciting things in the future and Dr. McMillan is looking forward to sharing them with you.
Learn more at themiamiproject.org.
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Disability and Special Needs Planning Made Easy
Presented by: Andre Sam, Disability & Special Needs Project
Location: Workshop Area
An informative and educational workshop for family members with loved ones of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or special needs! Many topics will be covered in this workshop. Including: guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, micro boards, wills, family trusts, special needs trusts, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Social Security Retirement and Survivor Benefits, Social Security Disability, Medicaid/Medicare, ABLE Accounts, budget planning, and transition planning. Learn 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.
Learn More at projectdsnp.com.
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Discover How to Pay for Everything You See Today
Presented by: Sonny Mullen and Kelly L. Green, Help Hope Live
Location: Workshop Area
Did you know that you can fundraise to cover the costs of everything you see at Abilities Expo? From power wheelchairs to accessible vehicles, from adaptive bikes to home modifications. And more! Help Hope Live wants to help make this happen! Come find out how the Help Hope Live non-profit organization works closely with Abilities Expo exhibitors and others – to get our clients on their way to independence!
Learn more at helphopelive.org.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
11:45am - 12:45pm
Accessible Travel Adventures with Sylvia Longmire
Presented by: Sylvia Longmire, Accessible Travel Writer and Disability Rights Activist, Spin the Globe
Location: Workshop Area
Join Sylvia Longmire, award-winning accessible travel blogger, as she shares accessible travel tips and tricks to make your next adventure as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. She will also share fun and engaging stories as a solo wheelchair traveler, taken from her book, What Happened to You. The book will be available at the Expo, and Sylvia will be signing copies for attendees at the WHILL Booth #313.
Learn more at spintheglobe.net.
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Introduction to Sensory Processing
Presented by: Gisela Jorge, OTR/L, Co-Owner of Inside Out Kids Therapy and Jessica Alfonso, OTR/L, Co-Owner of Inside Out Kids Therapy
Location: Workshop Area
This workshop is designed to introduce and explain the importance of sensory processing. During the workshop we will break down aspects of sensory processing, along with an explanation of every sensory system. We will describe what happens when a sensory system is under reactive or overreactive ... and give tips on how to remediate each situation. We will use the setting of Abilities Expo to point out the specific sensory systems that would currently be in use, or possibly be over-worked. Attendees will discover how to identify what their sensory systems perceives, and how that perception affects how we navigate the world around us.
Learn more at https://www.insideoutkids.com/.