Activities and demos make the total Abilities experience
Want to add some exciting new activities to your life? Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of events that not only entertain you - they also give you the opportunity to try new things, expand your interests and discover ways to be more involved in the local Los Angeles area.
More events added each week. Check back for details!
- Try a variety of adaptive sports
- Transform your face at the face painters
- Learn how to work with assistance dogs
- Break out your dancing wheels
- Find out what horses can do for people with disabilities
There’s a lot going on at Abilities Expo! Be sure to also check out the Free Workshops.
* Please note dates and times of events are subject to change without notice. Please check the schedule at the show for final times and events. Abilities Expo is not responsible for the materials or opinions of the speakers.
All Day, Every Day
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Coloplast
Location: Booth #745
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
Roll with the Wind: Ride-Along Race Experience
Presented by: Ainsley's Angels of America
Location: Booth #TBD
Test drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! Created 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 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
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
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!
Learn more:
California resources www.earthquakecountry.org/disability
National resources www.ready.gov
Artist Market
Presented by: LA Goal
Location: Booth #142
The area's most celebrated artists with disabilities will feature an eclectic mix of original, unforgettable artistry. From photographs and paintings to graphic design, their amazing works will be available for appreciation and purchase. Artist Market sponsor L.A. Goal is a nonprofit agency that provides Inside Out Productions, that teaches visual arts: drawing, painting, ceramics, sewing, quilting, weaving, embroidery, photography, woodblock prints and multi-media. Through ongoing art exhibitions, Inside Out Production artists are able to share with the world the talents of people with developmental disabilities. The act of creating something beautiful that the outside world can connect with becomes an effective tool for fostering communication, acceptance and inclusion.
Learn more: www.lagoal.org
Sports Zone
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Location: Booth #1013
Come on by to try out some parasports! Angel City Sports will have equipment and staff on hand to allow you to try out any number of sports. The zone is open whenever the show is open!
Learn more: http://angelcitysports.org
Assistive Technology Showcase
Presented by: Ability Tools
Location: Booth #227
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 assistive technology for people of all disabilities to experience hands-on. In addition, the staff will offer suggestions and share their extensive knowledge to help determine the most appropriate technology match for your abilities and situations. Ability Tools, formerly the AT Network, provides a variety of services for Californians of all ages with disabilities including: AT exchange marketplace, device lending libraries, financial loan program for AT and information and referrals.
Learn more: www.abilitytools.org
Friday, March 4, 2022
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
1:45 – 2:30
TBD
3:00 – 3:30
Dancing with the Rollettes Los Angeles
Presented by the Rollettes Los Angeles
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
Jiu Jitsu Without Limitations
Presented by: Maximiliano Ullork, The International Jiu Jitsu Without Limitations Federation (IJJWLF)
Location: Events Arena
Jiu jitsu is a martial art that uses leverage to control an attacker. The techniques taught are designed for a smaller person to control and even submit a larger opponent by using chokes, manipulating joints, or just holding them until help arrives.
Having a limitation may limit some techniques but the beauty of Jiu Jitsu is versatility of the positions, transitions, and submissions. Jiu Jitsu Without Limitations teaches how to use your abilities to the fullest. Understanding what your body is capable of and how you can defend yourself the best to your ability. Lets be realistic for some it can be a good option to keep the body healthy and the mind sharp, and others may want to compete.
Saturday, March 5, 2022
11:15 – 11:45am
Kidz! Chair Yoga (ages 5-13)
Presented by: Jackie Gadd, BYOMYOGA
Location: Events Arena
In the children's class we'll use our imagination and music to inspire yoga-oriented play. We will energize, then calm, bringing awareness to our actions, and teaching love and respect for ourselves and others.
12:00pm – 12:45pm
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
1:00pm – 1:45pm
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
2:00pm – 2:45pm
It's Nice To Be Nice
Presented by: Straight Up Abilities
Locations: Events Arena
The SUPA high energy Straight Up Abilities AllStar Group and the SUPA awesome WizStars from the JSPACC are going to show off some of their dope moves as well as 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 song. Loads of fun for ALL!
3:00 - 3:45
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 all 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: http://www.theskateconnection.org
4:00 – 4:45
TBD
Sunday, March 6, 2022
11:45 – 12:30
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
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 8 and up. The girls are from all over LA and Orange counties. They have been cheering for 3 years and we are always looking for some BEASTS (male cheerleaders)! 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 the LA Abilities Expo! The pandemic did not stop us, we have been practicing and socializing virtually for over a year now and look forward to performing for the public once again!
2:00 – 2:30
Dancing with the Rollettes Los Angeles
Presented by the Rollettes Los Angeles
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
2:45pm - 3:30pm
Intro to Chair Yoga (13+)
Presented by: Jackie Gadd, BYOMYOGA
Location: Events Arena
Our adult class will incorporate stretching and strengthening, with explanations of body-appropriate adjustments and/or use of applicable props. We'll begin with centering, flow through easy-to-follow (and remember) sequences and close with meditation/relaxation to refresh both the body and mind.
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