Los Angeles Events and Activities

Adaptive Climbing Wall

Presented by: Coloplast and Mark Wellman, No Limits

Location: 800 Aisle

Come climb the wall! Adaptive climbing is possible for people of ALL abilities! Meet the best person to learn adaptive climbing from - Mark Wellman! Mark has a spinal cord injury (SCI) and is an adventure athlete, speaker, and author. Climb the wall at Abilities Expo LA using Mark's innovative adaptive climbing techniques and gear! Learn about climbing's benefits: building confidence, developing goal-setting skills, increasing strength, and improving flexibility. It's fun!

Learn more at Mark's website nolimitstahoe.com.

Artist Market

Presented by: LA Goal

Location: Booth #134

Meet the region's artists with disabilities! Shop their eclectic mix of original, unforgettable artistry. Featuring photographs, paintings, graphic design, and more. All available for both appreciation and purchase. Artist Market sponsor LA Goal is committed to creating opportunities and equity for adults with developmental disabilities so they can live more fulfilling lives. Their programs cultivate knowledge, skills, and confidence for their members to engage in meaningful work, encourage creativity and self-expression, promote health and wellness, and inspire meaningful relationships.

Learn more and explore their programs at lagoal.org.

Assistive Technology Showcase

Presented by: Ability Tools, a Program of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

Location: Booth #333

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. Ask questions and discuss recommendations to find the most appropriate technology for your abilities and needs. The AT Network at Ability Tools expands the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase independence, improve personal productivity, and enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

Learn more at abilitytools.org.

Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth

Presented by: Earthquake, Fire, and Disability Preparedness Experts from Earthquake Country Alliance, Government Agencies, and Non-Profit Organizations

Location: Booth #639

Meet representatives of disability and emergency management organizations who are active in emergency planning and are working to ensure Californians will be more resilient when disaster strikes. Gain vital personal preparedness tips to help you create realistic plans to meet your needs, maintain your independence, and recover from emergency and disaster situations. Share your questions and concerns! Pick up free information and resources!

Get California-specific resources at earthquakecountry.org/accessibility and find national resources at ready.gov/disability.

Sports Zone

Presented by: Angel City Sports

Location: Booth #1013

Come on by to try a variety of adaptive sports! At the Sports Zone you'll discover equipment and staff support so you can try several different sports. The Sports Zone is organized and presented by Angel City Sports. The Zone will be open whenever the show is open!

Learn more at angelcitysports.org.

12:00pm – 12:45pm

All About Service Dogs

Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK

Location: Events Arena

Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life. Assisting with all types of tasks, from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability to counting money, and more! Service dogs are available for people with many different disabilities, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, Autism, and seizure/allergy alert. Learn how one acquires a service dog, support available to assist with covering the costs, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.

Learn More at CDK's website.

1:00pm – 1:30pm

Adaptive Standing Tennis

Presented by: Jeff Bourns, American Amputee Tennis Player, JeffBourns.com, and Babolat

Location: Events Arena

Adaptive Standing Tennis is a form of tennis for individuals with physical disability who play the sport of tennis standing, or ambulatory. This newly emerged form of tennis allows individuals with physical challenges such as amputations, cerebral palsy, or hemiparesis to play tennis. Come discover this new sport, try it for yourself, and be part of the growth of adaptive sports. All abilities welcome!

Learn more at the Adaptive Standing Tennis Wikipedia page and jeffbourns.com.

2:00pm – 2:30pm

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. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!

Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Blind Hockey – You Won't Believe Your Eyes!

Presented by: Joshua Schneider, MA and Drew Garza, USA Hockey, the Dented Pucks Hockey Team, and the HockEYE Guy Foundation

Location: Events Arena

Discover the sport of blind hockey – open to those with and without vision loss. Hear from blind hockey players about how the sport is played. Plus have a chance to see the unique equipment used in blind hockey like the smaller and lighter hockey sticks, the blind puck, and blind goggles. Find out how you can start ice skating in your region, and how to begin playing this fun sport.

Learn more at thehockeyeguy.com and watch blind hockey in this video.

12:00pm – 12:45pm

All About Service Dogs

Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK

Location: Events Arena

Service dogs can help you achieve more independence in your life. Assisting with all types of tasks, from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability to counting money, and more! Service dogs are available for people with many different disabilities, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, Autism, and seizure/allergy alert. Learn how one acquires a service dog, support available to assist with covering the costs, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.

Learn More at CDK's website.

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Accessible Yoga

Presented by: Jackie Gadd, Accessible Yoga Ambassador and Owner, BYOMyoga

Location: Events Arena

Ready to discover accessible yoga? Start the day with an adaptive yoga class of gentle stretching and strengthening, with explanations of body-appropriate adjustments and/or use of applicable props. This class begins with centering, flows through easy-to-follow (and remember) sequences, and closes with meditation and relaxation to refresh both the body and mind. Presented Jackie Gadd will share tips for finding adaptive yoga in your community and how yoga can benefit everyone. This class is designed for attendees to participate from a seated position or their mobility device.

Learn more at the BYOMyoga website.

12:00pm - 4:00pm

Face Painting

Presented by: Elise Massa, We Adorn You

Location: Events Arena

Face, arm, and hand painting are great ways for children to dress up - no costume required! Kids delight in this opportunity to transform their appearance! Painting is complimentary and paints are approved professional face paints that will wash off with soap and water. Just for kids aged 18 and under. Based on availability. Face painting is a popular activity, and we recommend you arrive early to ensure a spot. Please note the line for face painting closes 30 minutes prior to the close of face painting for the day.

Learn more at facepaintinglosangeles.net.

2:00pm – 2:30pm

Dance with The Rollettes!

Presented by: The Rollettes Los Angeles

Location: Events Arena

Join us for a high-energy, live performance by The Rollettes... the incredible team of wheelchair dancers from Los Angeles! These women have created a community that redefines what it means to be strong, female, and resilient. With dance, community outreach, education programs, and content creation they dazzle and push barriers out of their way. It's not just a performance; it's also your turn to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves! Come fulfill your dreams to dance!

Learn more at https://www.rollettesdance.com/ and follow The Rollettes on Instagram and TikTok @Rollettes_LA.

2:45pm - 3:30pm

Skateboarding

Presented by: The Skate Connection

Location: Events Arena

The Skate Connection is committed to providing opportunities for people with and without disabilities to skateboard together and cultivate an integrated community deeply rooted in the love for skateboarding. Founded in 2011 by Adam Grijalva, The Skate Connection is a simple, dynamic organization that has sprouted from a small crew of skateboarders to a movement that is reaching communities across California and connecting the hearts of skateboarders worldwide. At The Skate Connection, we don't create skateboarders or make friendships rather we just receive new members into our community and provide an authentic skateboarding experience so they may encounter the transforming love of skateboarding.

Learn more at theskateconnection.org.

3:45pm - 4:15pm

The Long Beach Beauties Cheer Performance

Presented by: The Long Beach Beauties

Location: Events Arena

The Long Beach Beauties is a cheer program for differently abled children and young adults ages eight and up. The girls are from all over Los Angeles and Orange counties. They have been cheering for over four years! They have cheered at several events including: Jamz Nationals in Las Vegas, Dodgers Stadium Cheer Day, the Southern California Special Olympics (SOSC) Summer Games and Abilities Expo Los Angeles! The pandemic did not stop they; they practiced and socialized virtually for over a year. They are excited to be performing for the public once again!

Learn more at their Facebook page.

1:00pm – 1:30pm

Line Dancing for All

Presented by: Straight Up Abilities

Location: Events Arena

"Everyone can and should dance" is the motto of Straight Up Abilities. Enjoy performances by the high-energy Straight Up Abilities AllStar Group and the awesome WizStars from the JSPACC.  Then they will lead the audience in some easy-to-learn line dances. Straight Up Abilities' Director Robin Olive and Teacher Gaby Alcazar will also teach some simple sign language to the dance songs. This event will be loads of fun for ALL!

Learn more at straightupabilities.com/.

2:00pm – 2:30pm

Tap Dance For All

Presented by: Victoria Moore, Victoria Moore Tap

Location: Events Arena

Would you like to tap dance? Think you can't? With Tap For All yes you can! Everybody can enjoy the fun of creating rhythms. By taking the taps off the shoes and putting them onto specially designed tap mittens, sitting tap dancers can now execute any rhythm a standing tap dancer can. Add a specially designed tap board you use on your lap or a table - and tap becomes accessible to all. Come try tap first-hand for yourself. Try on tap gloves and learn some basic tap steps. You'll even get to work together as a group, setting a small combination to music. A list of dance studios that provide Tap Dance For All classes will be available.

Learn more at victoriamooretap.com.