Activities, Demonstrations, and Special Events!
Here is the 2022 Abilities Expo line-up.
Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2023.
Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of special events to give you the opportunity to test your own skills, expand your interests, and find programs in the local area.
All events take place in the Auti Angel Events Arena unless otherwise noted.
There's a lot going on at Abilities Expo! Be sure to also check out the Exhibitors and Workshops.
* PLEASE NOTE dates and times of events are subject to change without notice. Abilities Expo is not responsible for the materials or opinions of the speakers.
Artist Market
Presented by: Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas)
Location: Booth #226
Meet the region's artists with disabilities and shop their eclectic mix of original, unforgettable artistry. From photographs and paintings to graphic design - available for both appreciation and purchase. Artist Market sponsor Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating an arts-inspired, inclusive community of individuals with diverse abilities. They are an expert resource on inclusive arts—creating and maintaining an accessible and open community where everyone can participate. Their goal is to provide support and training to the public, enhance personal growth and offer Texans access to the creative work of people with diverse abilities.
Learn more! Visit Art Spark Texas' website.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Mark Wellman, No Limits Tahoe
Location: Booth #823
Discover adaptive climbing! This sport is open to people of ALL abilities! There is no better person to learn adaptive climbing from than Mark Wellman of No Limits. Mark has a spinal cord injury (SCI) and is an adventure athlete, speaker, and author. 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. Plus, it's fun! 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. He dedicates his time to improving the quality of life for adults and children with disabilities including disabled war veterans.
Learn more! Visit No Limits Tahoe online.
Assistive Technology Showcase
Presented by: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP)
Location: Booth #735
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! Visit TTAP online.
Roll with the Wind: Ride-Along Race Experience
Presented by: Ainsley's Angels of America
Location: Booth #656
Test drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! This experience is for anyone who would otherwise not be able 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 spirit. Visit the Ainsley's Angels of America booth so you can sign up to experience the thrill TODAY! First-person-first-served. A limited number of race experience times are available on each day of the Expo.
Learn more! Visit the Ainsley's Angels of America website.
COVID -19 Vaccine Outreach & Administrative Event
Presented by: Texas A&M Health Maroon Line Clinic and Texas Familias Council
Location: Booth #629
The Texas A&M Health Maroon Line Clinic is partnering with Texas Familias Council to host this family COVID-19 vaccine event at Abilities Expo Houston. The vaccine is free of charge and no appointment is necessary. We encourage you to bring your vaccine card from prior doses, but it is not required.
In addition to the infant/toddler vaccines for 6 months to 5 years of age, the clinic will offer the following primary vaccine doses and booster doses for qualifying individuals ages 5 and older based on the CDC's recently updated recommendations. (Please click on links below for FDA/CDC recipient information.)
- 6 months - 5 years: Infant/Toddler Moderna (Dark Blue Cap)
- 5-11 years: Pediatric Pfizer (Orange Cap)
- 12 years and older: Standard Pfizer (Grey Cap) and Standard Moderna (Red Cap)
A parent or guardian must be present for a child under age 18 to be vaccinated. Vaccine information and administration will also be provided by physicians from Texas A&M Health, including a Texas A&M College of Medicine pediatrician.
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
Discover how service dogs are meeting the needs of people with different disabilities. Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life – assisting with tasks like picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability, even counting money and more! Service dogs are available people with different disabilities, 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 More! Visit CDK's website.
Wheelchair Soccer
Presented by: Houston Parks and Recreation / Adaptive Sports and Recreation Department
Location: Events Arena
Wheelchair soccer, known as wheelchair football outside of the USA, is a fun, exciting adaptive version of the international sport of the same name. Enjoy a demo, ask questions, and find out where you can play this sport in the Houston region!
Learn more about Houston area adaptive sports and recreation!
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
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; however, standing participants are also welcome. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance.
Learn more! Visit WOW Wheelchair Fitness.
Low Impact Combo Adaptive Fitness Class
Presented by: L'Orne J. Lazaro, Healthy Living Program Manager, and Neylane Coelho, Personal Training Lead, Katy YMCA's
Location: Events Arena
Move through a variety of fun, low-impact exercises designed to increase your muscular strength and range of movement as well as cardiovascular fitness.
Learn more! Visit the YMCA of Greater Houston website.
COVID -19 Vaccine Outreach & Administrative Event
Presented by: Texas A&M Health Maroon Line Clinic and Texas Familias Council
Location: Booth #629
The Texas A&M Health Maroon Line Clinic is partnering with Texas Familias Council to host this family COVID-19 vaccine event at Abilities Expo Houston. The vaccine is free of charge and no appointment is necessary. We encourage you to bring your vaccine card from prior doses, but it is not required.
In addition to the infant/toddler vaccines for 6 months to 5 years of age, the clinic will offer the following primary vaccine doses and booster doses for qualifying individuals ages 5 and older based on the CDC's recently updated recommendations. (Please click on links below for FDA/CDC recipient information.)
- 6 months - 5 years: Infant/Toddler Moderna (Dark Blue Cap)
- 5-11 years: Pediatric Pfizer (Orange Cap)
- 12 years and older: Standard Pfizer (Grey Cap) and Standard Moderna (Red Cap)
A parent or guardian must be present for a child under age 18 to be vaccinated. Vaccine information and administration will also be provided by physicians from Texas A&M Health, including a Texas A&M College of Medicine pediatrician.
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
Discover how service dogs are meeting the needs of people with different disabilities. Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life – assisting with tasks like picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability, even counting money and more! Service dogs are available people with different disabilities, 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 More! Visit CDK's website.
Face Painting
Presented by: Houston Face Painting
Location: Next to Events Arena
Enjoy your whimsical side with artistry that transforms your look—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. Please see Houston Face Painting Disclaimer for additional details.
Learn more! Visit houstonfacepainting.net.
Tennis for Everyone!
Presented by: Cindy Benzon, Community Services Coordinator / Adaptive & Wheelchair Tennis, USTA Texas and Jeff Bourns, American Amputee Tennis Player
Location: Events Arena
Come discover how tennis allows opportunities for anyone to play and enjoy the sport! Join us to try both wheelchair and adapted tennis. Meet Jeff Bourns, who helped popularize and pioneer the growth and development of organized Adaptive Standing Tennis. Find out how you can play tennis in your area. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Learn more at the USTA Texas website.
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
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; however, standing participants are also welcome. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance.
Learn more! Visit WOW Wheelchair Fitness.
Wheelchair Fencing
Presented by: Liz Mayerich, Daniel Gorman, and Hayley Gillen of Houston Sword Sports
Location: Events Arena
Learn about the Paralympic sport of fencing! In this fast-paced version of sword fighting, competitors sit in wheelchairs that are anchored to the ground and use their weapons to attack and defend. There are three weapons, all with different target, rules, and styles. In this demo, you will learn about the three weapons and the basics of wheelchair fencing. You'll get to see two Paralympic fencers in an exhibition bout. And finally, you'll get a chance to suit up and try fencing with one of our coaches. Give it a try today!
Learn more! Visit houstonswords.com.
Wheelchair Rugby
Presented by: Texans Wheelchair Rugby Team
Location: Events Arena
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!
Learn More! Visit www.facebook.com/TexansWheelchairRugby.
Meet Your Favorite Cosplay Characters!
Presented by: Causeplay Alliance Project
Location: Throughout the Expo Hall
Meet your favorite superhero, princess, movie, and television characters! Causeplay Alliance Project will be at Abilities Expo Houston on Sunday, August 7 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Meet them as they walk throughout the Expo Hall – bringing magic, smiles, and fun with them!
Learn more! Visit the CAP Facebook Page and check out their video from the 2019 Houston Buddy Walk.
Wheelchair Lacrosse
Presented by: Move United
Location: Events Arena
Come try the sport of wheelchair lacrosse and see a game in action! Wheelchair lacrosse is a fast-paced, full-contact sport utilizing the same rules and skills as its field-counterpart. It requires the athlete to catch, pass, and shoot a ball into a goal using a lacrosse stick. Defense uses positioning, chair-to-chair, and stick-to-stick/body contact to prevent the offense from scoring. Come out and try it for yourself!
Learn more! Visit moveunitedsport.org.
Give Sitting Volleyball a Try
Presented by: Move United and Kari Miller-Ortiz, Three-Time Paralympic Medalist
Location: Events Arena
Kari Miller-Ortiz, a three-time Paralympic medalist, will teach and play the Paralympic sport of sitting volleyball. The fundamentals of the sport will be introduced (including bump, set, and spike). This game can be adapted so that it may be played by practically anybody, anywhere. The best thing is that you'll get to participate in this exciting game!
Learn more! Visit moveunitedsport.org.
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. 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.
Learn more! Visit them at their Facebook page.