Activities and demos make the total Abilities experience
Here is the 2022 Abilities Expo line-up.
Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2022.
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.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Coloplast
Location: Booth #739
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
Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth
Presented by: Earthquake, Fire, and Disability Preparedness Experts from Earthquake Country Alliance, Government Agencies, and Non-Profit Organizations
Location: Booth #733
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
Sports Zone
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Location: Booth #925
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
TheStrokeChannel.TV Support Group Sessions
Presented by: The StrokeChannel.TV
Location: Booth #114
Hosted by Emmy Award winning TV host, motivational speaker & stroke survivor, Christopher Ewing, these daily support groups are designed to provide helpful information, as well as an opportunity to connect with others who may have a physical or mental challenge. To register for these sessions, visit http://www.thestrokechannel.tv/.
Stroke Support Group
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 am
Strokes can happen at any age, sometimes without warning. This support group session is for stroke survivors to be able to discuss
with other stroke survivors some of the challenges, as well as the breakthroughs, they have experienced on their path towards
recovery. This session is also open to those who would like to learn more about the signs and risks of stroke.
Caregivers Support Group
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 1:30pm
Caregivers need support, too. This support group session is open to all caregivers, so if you are a caregiver for someone who suffers
from stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, Autism, a spinal cord injury, or any physical or mental challenge, then this support
group is for you!
Open Support Group
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 3:00pm
This support group session is for anyone dealing with a physical or mental challenge who would like to have an open forum and discuss any of the challenges they may be facing, share any of their triumphs, or offer words of encouragement and advice to others!
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
Dance with The Rollettes Los Angeles!
Presented by The Rollettes Los Angeles
Location: Events Arena
Join us for a high-energy, live performance by The Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. 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 the boundaries that others place in the way. Following the performance, it's your turn to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves. Come fulfill your dreams to dance!
Learn more: www.rollettesdance.com and follow The Rollettes on Instagram and TikTok @Rollettes_LA
Wheelchair Tennis Experience
Presented by: Angel City Sports and West Coast Wheelchair Tennis Association
Location: Events Arena
Join Angel City Sports for an interactive demonstration of the exciting sport of Wheelchair Tennis. Work on technique and receive tips from some stellar local coaches! All ages and ability levels are welcome to participate in this demonstration. Sports wheelchairs and tennis racquets will be provided.
Learn more: https://angelcitysports.org/
On Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/wcwta
https://www.facebook.com/1MorePush
Jiu Jitsu Without Limitations
Presented by: Maximiliano Ulloa, 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.
Learn more: https://www.ijjwlf.com/
Dance It Out Adaptive Fitness
Presented by: Wheelchair Dancers Organization
Location: Events Arena
Dance It Out (DIO) Adaptive was created by Billy Blanks Jr and adapted by Michele Jones. DIO Adaptive is an inclusive dance fitness class that will get you moving. Come exercise and have fun while dancing to over 20 styles of dance from around the world. Whether you are a walker (able-bodied) or a roller (using a wheelchair) ou DIO Adaptive Program offers dance fitness for all levels of mobility, all ages and all levels of experience.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-fKLYFFnx4&t=29s
Learn more: https://www.wheelchairdancers.org/
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
It's Nice To Be Nice Performance and Line Dancing
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!
Learn more: https://www.straightupabilities.com/
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
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
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!
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/longbeachbeauties
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
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.
Learn more: http://byomyoga.blogspot.com/ and https://accessibleyoga.org/.
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