Activities, Demonstrations, and Special Events!
Here is the 2023 Abilities Expo line-up.
Check back 3 months out to find out what's in store for 2024.
Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of events so you can try sports and dance, discover ways to be fit, and connect to programs in the local area.
All events take place in the Auti Angel Events Arena unless otherwise noted.
There's a lot to explore at Abilities Expo New York Metro! Check out the Exhibitors and Workshops!
* The dates, times, topics, and speakers for these events are subject to change without notice. The opinions presented at the events are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Abilities Expo. Event content should not be considered as a replacement or substitute for the services of trained professionals in any field, including, but not limited to, financial, medical, or legal matters. We encourage you to seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information presented in these events.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Etac North America and Mark Wellman, No Limits
Location: Booth #545
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.
Assistive Technology Showcase
Presented by: Advancing Opportunities
Location: Booth #147
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. Advancing Opportunities provides services and support to individuals with disabilities and their families so they can lead fuller lives at work, home, school, and play. Their team of technology specialists will offer free hands-on demonstrations of technology and tools throughout the show. From low-tech tips to advice about sophisticated software, we can help you find solutions!
Learn more at advopps.org and assistivetechnologycenter.org.
Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth
Presented by: Emergency Preparedness NYC and NJ and EAD & Associates
Location: Booth #737
Meet representatives of disability and emergency management organizations who are active in emergency planning and are working to ensure the NY Metro region 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!
Learn more at ready.gov/disability (federal resources) and eadassociates.com (regional resources).
Free COVID -19 Vaccines
Presented by: Alliance Center for Independence, Middlesex County Health Department and New Jersey Department of Health
Location: Booth #359
The Middlesex County Health Department will administer both primary and booster vaccines at Abilities Expo on Friday and Saturday, while the New Jersey Department of Health will administer shots on Sunday. This all takes place in the Alliance Center for Independence booth #359. There will be $25 gift card incentives (and free t-shirts) for the first 40 people on all three days. If possible, attendees should bring their vaccine card and insurance information.
Manual Wheelchair Skills for Everyone
Presented by: Empower Spinal Cord Injury
Location: Booth #621
What tricks do you use to get yourself off the ground? How are your curb-hopping skills? Are you able-bodied and want to learn some manual wheelchair skills? We can help! Brush up on old skills and learn new ones from others. The Manual Wheelchair Skills booth will be staffed with both manual wheelchair-users and able-bodied staff. Skills will include curb-hopping, fall recovery, wheelie management, wheelchair maintenance, and challenging transfers. Open to both wheelchair-users and able-bodied individuals. There will be several wheelchairs present for able-bodied individuals to try out these skills. Visit us for a personal "Learn New Skills" time where you can spend 15 dedicated minutes getting one-on-one assistance with a skill you'd like to master. Based on availability. Attendees can reserve specific times at the booth.
Learn more at empowersci.org.
Roll with the Wind: Ride-Along Race Experience
Presented by: Ainsley's Angels of America
Location: Booth #953
Test drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! This experience is 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 at ainsleysangels.org.
10:45am - 11:00 am
Show Open with Patrick Anderson
Presented by: Patrick Anderson, Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian
Location: Near Registration
Wheelchair basketball phenom Patrick Anderson, widely considered to be the best wheelchair basketball player in the world and one of the greatest to have ever played the game, will kick off the 2023 Abilities Expo.
If you would like to meet Patrick in person and get an autograph, swing by the RGK booth #701. He'll be there all day on Friday.
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 - 4:00pm
Face Painting
Presented by: Lori McSorley, Lori's Facepainting
Location: Near the 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 njfacepainting.com.
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Free Makeovers
Presented by: The Makeup on Wheels Foundation
Location: Booth #354
Come get glammed up with free makeovers from makeup artist Stephanie Debes of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation! There you can learn more about the foundation's upcoming gala and their mission to advocate for the disability community.
Learn more at The Makeup On Wheels Foundation.
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
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.
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Adaptive Golf
Presented by: Gianna Rojas, The One Handed Lady Golfer and Founder, AdaptiveGolfers.org
Location: Events Arena
The game of Golf provides a wonderful recreation opportunity for all. But Golf is so much more than just a leisure game or a sport. It can be a therapeutic activity for individuals with different (not dis-) ABILITIES. Adaptive Golf means understanding how to apply one's own ABILITIES to enjoy Golf by making modifications (big or small) to how the game is learned, swing techniques, equipment used, and the delivery of instruction to allow an individual to play golf to their fullest potential. Come try the sport at this interactive demo!
Learn more at adaptivegolfers.org and watch a video about the journey of adaptive golf.
11:45am - 12:30pm
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 - 3:00pm
Free Makeovers
Presented by: The Makeup on Wheels Foundation
Location: Booth #354
Come get glammed up with free makeovers from makeup artist Stephanie Debes of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation! There you can learn more about the foundation's upcoming gala and their mission to advocate for the disability community.
Learn more at The Makeup On Wheels Foundation.
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Tap-Dancing Hands Down
Presented by: Mary Six Rupert and Tap: On Tap - An All Abilities Tap Ensemble
Location: Events Arena
Experience all-abilities tap dancing! Learn how Tap-Dancing Hands Down works. Join in by tapping with the performers using your own abilities. Next, divide into groups to learn and have fun with "follow-ups" and "call and response" (standard tap-dancing skills). There will be a challenge between a tap dancer and a dancer using Tap Dancing Hands Down. The Tap: On Tap Dance Company conclude with a performance combining Tap-Dancing Hands Down with traditional tap dancing.
Learn more at tapontap.org.
2:00pm – 2:30pm
Dance-Based Exercise for Self-Care and Mindfulness
Presented by: ZCO/Dance Project
Location: Events Arena
Explore dance-based exercises that work on both cognitive and physical skills to replenish the body. Class participants will be guided on ways to break old habits, find new pathways, and discover their own movement conceptions. Open to people of all ability levels and presented by Zazel Chavah O'Garra, a professional dancer who has also experienced disability as a result of a benign brain tumor.
Learn more at zcodanceproject.com.
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Face Painting
Presented by: Lori McSorley, Lori's Facepainting
Location: Near the 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 njfacepainting.com.
3:00pm - 3:45pm
Wheelchair Rugby
Presented by: The New York Warriors Wheelchair Rugby Team
Location: Events Arena
Competitive wheelchair rugby is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world. The New York Warriors will join us to demonstrate this exciting game - a cross between wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. The main message of quad rugby is "Smashing Stereotypes One Hit at a Time" and the sport has proven to be a life changer for those who start playing it. Find out more at this demo and learn about opportunities to get involved for yourself.
Learn more about the sport at USA Wheelchair Rugby's website usawr.org.
4:00pm - 4:45pm
Power Wheelchair Floor Hockey
Presented by: Philadelphia Flyers Powerplay
Location: Events Arena
Power Hockey is essentially floor hockey for power wheelchair users. The sport follows the rules and regulations of the United States Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (USEWHA) and is open to all competent power wheelchair users. The Philadelphia Flyers Powerplay team is made up of about 30 players with various disabilities including Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Cord Injuries. There are no age restrictions and both male and female participants are welcome! Come watch a demo game, meet the players, families and see how they play!
Learn more at philadelphiapowerplay.com.
12:00pm - 12:30pm
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 - 3:00pm
Free Makeovers
Presented by: The Makeup on Wheels Foundation
Location: Booth #354
Come get glammed up with free makeovers from makeup artist Stephanie Debes of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation! There you can learn more about the foundation's upcoming gala and their mission to advocate for the disability community.
Learn more at The Makeup On Wheels Foundation.
1:00 - 1:15pm
Help Hope Live Adaptive Bike Giveaway
Presented by: Sonny Mullen and Kelly L. Green, Help Hope Live
Location: Booth #427
National medical fundraising nonprofit Help Hope Live will present a customized Freedom Concepts adaptive bike to three-year-old Easton Clark and his family. Easton was paralyzed from the shoulders down at the age of one, but exercise-based therapy has transformed his trunk control and ability to stand.
Funding for this giveaway is made possible through a partnership between the Help Hope Live (Booth #427) and the Esther & Pedro Rosenblatt Foundation.
1:00pm – 1:30pm
Adapted Wheelchair Basketball
Presented by: Henry Viscardi School Wheelchair Basketball Program
Location: Events Arena
Try adapted wheelchair basketball - a game built so anyone can play! The Adapted Wheelchair Basketball Program was created to afford children of all levels of physical abilities, the opportunity to play together as a team and to reach their highest potential as athletes. The game is structured to allow each child to be as independent as possible while playing wheelchair basketball. The program allows children with disabilities to have fun and enjoy themselves. The program teaches the players to respect each other's individual needs and limitations as well as providing guidance for learning individual skills, team skills and good sportsmanship. Our goal is to encourage individuality, heighten self-esteem and provide a safe environment for each basketball player involved.
Learn more at henryviscardischool.org/for-students/clubs-and-activities.
2:00pm – 2:30pm
Never Miss a Chance to Dance
Presented by: Envision Dance Exchange (EDE) and Artistic Director, Susan M. Coutts
Location: Events Arena
Enjoy a live dance performance by the members of Envision Dance Exchange and choreographed by Artistic Director Susan M. Coutts. Then it's your chance to participate! Join the dancers and discover their spirit of dance! Dance Innovations and Envision Dance Exchange is proud to once again be a part of the Abilities Expo and look forward to seeing you all there! Get a sneak peak of the dancers in this video.
Learn more at danceinnovations.org/dipf and this video.