Houston Event and Activities

Adaptive Climbing Wall

Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe

Sponsored by: Coloplast

Location: Booth #441

Adaptive climbing is a sport that is open to people of all abilities! It's not just for experienced athletes. There is no better person to learn adaptive climbing from than Mark Wellman of No Limits. Mark has 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. And 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: www.nolimitstahoe.com

Assistive Technology Showcase

Presented by: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP)

Location: Booth #329, 330

Explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved ones bridge the gap between ability and disability. The showcase will feature an array of AT for people of all abilities to experience hands-on.

Artist Market

Presented by: Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas)

Location: Booth #222

Meet the region's artists with disabilities! Shop their original, unforgettable artistry: photographs, paintings, graphic design and more. Their amazing works will be available for 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: www.artsparktx.org  

12:00 – 12:45

All About Service Dogs

Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Canines for Disabled Kids

Location: Events Arena

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 More: www.caninesforkids.org

1:00 – 1:30

Dancing with the Rollettes Los Angeles

Presented by: Conner Lundius & Samantha Lopez, Rollettes

Location: Events Arena

Join us for a high-energy, live performance by Conner & Samantha of the Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. The dance team performs unique and captivating routines across the globe 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.
Learn more: www.rollettesdance.com and follow them on Instagram & TikTok @Rollettes_LA

2:00 – 2:30

Creative Movement

Presented by: Houston Ballet

Location: Events Arena

A movement class for students of all abilities and ages, with teaching artist Katey Tidwell and musician Kirk Suddreath.
Learn more: https://www.houstonballet.org/about/ece/adapted-dance/ 

3:00 – 4:15

Tennis is for Everyone

Presented by: Ms. Cindy Benzon, Mr. Jeff Bourns, Dr. Michael Cottingham

Location: Events Arena

Come learn more about how tennis has adapted to allow opportunities for anyone to play and enjoy the sport!

11:15 – 11:45

Tabata Tuesday Adaptive Fitness Program

Presented by Houston Parks & Recreation

Location: Events Arena

Tabata is a form of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) where our participants will perform an adapted exercise at a high intensity for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest, varying exercises for 4 minute blocks for a total of 20-30 minutes.  The Tabata idea is to get a great aerobic and anaerobic workout in half the time of traditional low intensity exercises. Intensity is key. More information about Adaptive Sports and Recreation can be found at houstonparks.org 

12:00 – 12:45

Ayita Wheelchair Dance Presentation 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: www.facebook.com/Ayitadance/

1:00 – 1:45

All About Service Dogs

Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Canines for Disabled Kids

Location: Events Arena

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 More: www.caninesforkids.org

2:00 – 2:45

Sled Hockey

Presented by: STARskaters and Texas Sled Hockey

Discover ice skating sports for the disability community with Sled Hockey! Sled hockey, also called sledge hockey, was invented in Sweden in the early 1960s by a group of people with disabilities. Members of Team Texas will be on hand to demonstrate the sport and give attendees a chance to play. It follows most of the typical ice hockey rules with the exception of modifications to the equipment and the use of the sleds. The sport is normally played on ice but sleds with wheels will be used for this demo.
Learn more: www.texassledhockey.org

3:00 – 3:30

Dancing with the Rollettes Los Angeles

Presented by: Conner Lundius & Samantha Lopez, Rollettes

Location: Events Arena

Join us for a high-energy, live performance by Conner & Samantha of the Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. The dance team performs unique and captivating routines across the globe 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.
Learn more: www.rollettesdance.com and follow them on Instagram & TikTok @Rollettes_LA

4:00 – 4:45

Wheelchair Fencing with Houston Sword Sports

Presented by: Liz Mayerich, Daniel Gorman, & Hayley Gillen: 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: Https://HoustonSwords.com | facebook.com/HoustonSwordSports/  | Twitter and IG: @HoustonSwords

11:45 – 12:30

Creative Movement

Presented by: Houston Ballet

Location: Events Arena

A movement class for students of all abilities and ages, with teaching artist Katey Tidwell and musician Kirk Suddreath.
Learn more: https://www.houstonballet.org/about/ece/adapted-dance/ 

1:00 – 1:45

Flag Football Demo

Presented by: Houston YMCA and Move United

Location: Events Arena

Flag Football is an opportunity to work on gross motor skills, agility and endurance in a fun team environment. Our clinics include sport skill development, sportsmanship, and team play. Every activity will have modifications and support available to ensure everyone can participate. The YMCA adaptive sports programs provide youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play sports in a safe, fun, accessible atmosphere. Our specially trained staff are able to meet the needs and remove barriers allowing all athletes the opportunity to experience team sports. Team sports build self-confidence on and off the field and create valuable opportunities to build friendships.
Learn More: https://www.moveunitedsport.org & https://ymcahouston.org

2:00 – 2:30

Dancing with the Rollettes Los Angeles

Presented by: Conner Lundius & Samantha Lopez, Rollettes

Location: Events Arena

Join us for a high-energy, live performance by Conner & Samantha of the Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. The dance team performs unique and captivating routines across the globe 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.
Learn more: www.rollettesdance.com and follow them on Instagram & TikTok @Rollettes_LA

2:45 – 3:30

Soccer Clinic

Presented by Houston YMCA and Move United

Location: Events Arena

Soccer is an opportunity to work on gross motor skills, agility and endurance in a fun team environment. Our clinics include sport skill development, sportsmanship, and team play. Every activity will have modifications and support available to ensure everyone can participate.

The YMCA adaptive sports programs provide youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play sports in a safe, fun, accessible atmosphere. Our specially trained staff are able to meet the needs and remove barriers allowing all athletes the opportunity to experience team sports. Team sports build self-confidence on and off the field and create valuable opportunities to build friendships.
Learn More: https://www.moveunitedsport.org & https://ymcahouston.org