Activities and demos make the total Abilities experience
All Day, Every Day
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
Artist Market
Presented by: Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas)
Location: Booth #220
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
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! For anyone who would otherwise be unable 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 immeasurable inspirational spirit. Be sure to visit the Ainsley's Angels of America booth to 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: www.ainsleysangels.org
Friday, August 6, 2021
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
Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer: Spirit Wolves
Presented by: Spirit Wolves: the 2021 US National Adaptive Abilities Team, representing USA Cheer and the International Cheer Union
Location: Events Arena
Discover the new sport of Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer! Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer brings two kinds of athletes together: those with disabilities—or "with limitations," according to USA Cheer—and those without. Cheerleading, by nature, pushes boundaries and questions limitations, and these athletes are doing just that, modifying stunts and adjusting routines to create something new. ParaCheer Spirit Wolves will showcase their skills with a demonstration. Then you are invited to try it for yourselves with the US Nationals Team! Bring your cheer!
Learn more: www.usacheer.org, https://cheerunion.org/disciplines/sach/, https://www.facebook.com/ParaCheerSpiritNFPMidwestUS/
Follow us: Twitter @ParaCheerMidUS & Instagram @Para_Cheer_Spirit
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 – 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
3:45 – 4:45
TBD
Saturday, August 7, 2021
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 – 3:45
Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer: Spirit Wolves
Presented by: Spirit Wolves: the 2021 US National Adaptive Abilities Team, representing USA Cheer and the International Cheer Union
Location: Events Arena
Discover the new sport of Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer! Adaptive Cheer/ParaCheer brings two kinds of athletes together: those with disabilities—or "with limitations," according to USA Cheer—and those without. Cheerleading, by nature, pushes boundaries and questions limitations, and these athletes are doing just that, modifying stunts and adjusting routines to create something new. ParaCheer Spirit Wolves will showcase their skills with a demonstration. Then you are invited to try it for yourselves with the US Nationals Team! Bring your cheer!
Learn more: www.usacheer.org, https://cheerunion.org/disciplines/sach/, https://www.facebook.com/ParaCheerSpiritNFPMidwestUS/
Follow us: Twitter @ParaCheerMidUS & Instagram @Para_Cheer_Spirit
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
Sunday, August 8, 2021
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