New York Metro

May 2-4, 2025

New Jersey Convention & Expo Center

Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm

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Free Workshops

Take advantage of the Free Workshops at Abilities Expo NY Metro! This year we're focusing on accessible kitchens and baths, travel, and tips for caregivers and wheelchair users, as well as a screening of the new Amazon Prime TV Show For the Love of Racing!

There's no need to register in advance for the workshops. Just arrive early to each session to get your seat!

There's a lot going on at Abilities Expo NY Metro 2024! Also check out the Exhibitors and the Events and Features!

Professionals:
Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Accessibility Help Desk during the show for information on how to obtain a certificate.

* Workshop dates, times, topics, and speakers are subject to change without notice. The opinions presented at the workshops are those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Abilities Expo. Workshop 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 workshops.

Friday, May 3, 2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

Balancing Function and Independence: Clinical Considerations for Power Positioning and Memory Seating

Presented by: Jay Doherty, OTR, ATP/SMS Director, Clinical Education

Location: Junior ballroom, First Floor

Balancing Function and Independence: Clinical Considerations for Power Positioning and Memory Seating

Not ever rider is prepared for a wheelchair evaluation; they may not know what to expect, what questions to ask, and they may feel as if decisions are being made on their behalf. This workshop is attended to empower the wheelchair rider to be an active participant in the evaluation and fitting of their wheelchair. The workshop will begin by explaining the evaluation process in detail, including the importance of the rider's subjective evaluation, what measurements are considered in configuring a wheelchair for optimal performance (emphasis on ultra-lightweight manual mobility), and what goals and outcomes the rider must identify and consider when selecting components.

Power wheelchairs are designed to augment function when functional mobility is compromised or lost. For end users with complex needs, the power wheelchair can also augment repositioning and pressure relief. This course will dive into the various options for power positioning, clinical benefits, various access methods, and the research supporting the need for power positioning technology.

The session is complimentary, but registration is required. Attendees can earn .2 CEUs. For more information, click here.

11:45am – 12:45pm

Wheelchair Evaluation/Fitting: How to be an Active Participant

Presented by: Sunrise Medical

Location: Workshop Area

Wheelchair Evaluation/Fitting: How to be an Active Participant

Not ever rider is prepared for a wheelchair evaluation; they may not know what to expect, what questions to ask, and they may feel as if decisions are being made on their behalf. This workshop is attended to empower the wheelchair rider to be an active participant in the evaluation and fitting of their wheelchair. The workshop will begin by explaining the evaluation process in detail, including the importance of the rider's subjective evaluation, what measurements are considered in configuring a wheelchair for optimal performance (emphasis on ultra-lightweight manual mobility), and what goals and outcomes the rider must identify and consider when selecting components.

Learn more at sunrisemedical.com.

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Accessible Home Design: Kitchens & Bathrooms!

Presented by: Mark Thompson, Department of Architecture, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

Location: Workshop Area

Accessible Homes: Kitchens and Bathrooms!

How can my kitchen be made more accessible? Can kitchen appliances be more user-friendly? Could I retrofit my bathroom to include a spacious roll-in shower? Where should plumbing fixtures be located, and what type? Who should I hire to make sure my home renovation project will fit my needs? Whether it's a new accessible residence or retrofitting your existing home, learn ways to improve the accessibility of your kitchen and bathrooms. Information will be presented from several chapters of PVA's book, Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User, with real examples and case studies.
Learn more at pva.org/research-resources/accessible-design and the popular book from PVA: Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User, Second Edition (available for purchase online).

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Meet Star of New TV Show Just Hands: For the Love of Racing

Presented by: Torsten Gross, Just Hands Motorsports

Location: Workshop Area

Screening of the Amazon Prime TV Show Coming Spring 2024 - Just Hands: For the Love Of Racing

Come see a screening of of Just Hands: For the Love Of Racing, the TV show that follows the journey of Torsten Gross, a C6 quadriplegic, as he navigates the world of race car driving. Race car driving is one of the only sports that puts disabled, and non-disabled, athletes on the same playing field. Torsten will tell stories not seen on the show ... like when he hit a wall sideways at 60 miles per hour, or when he thought his car was on fire during his first ever qualifying race at Virginia International Raceway. Then, go see one of the track cars on display at the expo!

Learn more at torstengross.com and justhands.org.

3:45pm – 4:45pm

Peer to Peer Manual Wheelchair Maintenance – Tips and Tricks

Presented by: Matthew Castelluccio, VP of Community Support / United Spinal Association, Peter Gagliardo, Adaptive Sports and Recreation Coordinator / Peer Mentor Coordinator / Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital, and Jean Minkel, PT, ATP, SVP Mobility and Rehab Services / ICS – On A Roll Mobility Services

Location: Workshop Area

Peer to Peer Manual Wheelchair Maintenance – Tips and Tricks

Two seasoned wheelchair riders will share with you tips and tricks to perform your own basic maintenance on your manual wheelchair.  We'll share with you tips on what tools to have nearby, even those you will want to carry with you.  Just like a car, showing your chair a little love and care, with cleaning and routine maintenance, you will avoid some really disruptive repairs!

Learn more at unitedspinal.org and icsny.org.

Saturday, May 4, 2024

11:45am - 12:45pm

Integrating Animals: How Animals Contribute to Holistic Health

Presented by: Carolyn Beisiegel, COTA/L, C-AAIS, CTRI, CARSS II, DIR-BASIC

Location: Workshop Area

Integrating Animals: How Animals Contribute to Holistic Health

Animals have been healers for a long time, and it is just recently that they have been recognized as an important part of holistic health. This presentation will provide an overview of different animals and the ways they contribute to our livelihood. It will break down the differences between the types of working animals such as therapy, service, emotional support, and facility, as well as the ways in which we integrate them into daily practices such as in therapy, education, counseling, and recreation. Examples of activities will be provided as well as testimonials from individuals who currently are benefiting or have benefited from animal-assisted interventions. The overall goal is to provide you with the information you will need to determine which services and which animal may be appropriate for you and your health.

PATH Intl. Certified Instructors will receive 1 CE for attending this workshop.

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Pride Mobility Consumer Roundtables

Presented by: Pride Mobility

Location: Junior ballroom, First Floor

Pride and Quantum Logos

Pride Mobility® wants to hear from you!

This dedicated sessions is an opportunity for you to provide our expert staff with direct feedback about your Pride products.

If you are interested in sharing your ideas and experiences, we encourage you to register for the PRIDE roundtable by Sunday, April 21. If you are chosen to participate, you will be contacted via email by Friday, April 26. Those who are chosen to participate will receive a $25 gift card for their time and input!

Should the Pride team have any additional questions, you will be contacted via email.

1:00pm – 2:00pm

The Art of Complex Caregiving

Presented by: Linda M. Schultz, PhD, CRRN

Location: Workshop Area

The Art of Complex Caregiving

For both individuals receiving care and those providing it, juggling a complex medical situation with a disability can become challenging. Pain management, bladder and bowel routines, skin care, and more all compete for attention and trying to prioritize tasks can be exhausting. In this workshop, attendees will hear from Linda Schultz, Ph.D., known best as "Nurse Linda" from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center. She will discuss ways to manage complex caregiving with simplicity, compassion, and grace. Attendees will leave this session having gained tips and strategies for preventing and managing stressful situations before they happen.

Learn more at christopherreeve.org/todays-care/living-with-paralysis/for-caregivers.

2:00pm – 3:00pm

Quantum Rehab Consumer Roundtables

Pride and Quantum Logos

Presented by: Quantum Rehab

Location: Junior ballroom, First Floor

Quantum Rehab® wants to hear from you!

This dedicated sessions is an opportunity for you to provide our expert staff with direct feedback about your Pride products.

If you are interested in sharing your ideas and experiences, we encourage you to register for the QUANTUM roundtable by Sunday, April 21. If you are chosen to participate, you will be contacted via email by Friday, April 26. Those who are chosen to participate will receive a $25 gift card for their time and input!

Should the Quantum team have any additional questions, you will be contacted via email.

2:30pm – 3:30pm

Travel with a Disability? Yes, You Can!

Presented by: Kristy Lacroix, Certified Accessible Travel Specialist, Founder, Wheelchair Escapes

Location: Workshop Area

Travel with a Disability? Yes, You Can!

Want to travel? Join Kristy Lacroix of Wheelchair Escapes as she shares what she has learned over 30 years of hands-on experience planning travel for people who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities. Discover travel tips, ideas, and advice to help you say, "I can do it!" So you can get out there and explore the world! Please bring your travel questions and concerns. Kristy wants you to leave this workshop knowing, that yes, you can travel the world!

Learn more at wheelchairescapes.com.

3:45pm – 4:45pm

Disability and Special Needs Planning Made Easy

Presented by: Andre Sam, Disability & Special Needs Project

Location: Workshop Area

Disability and Special Needs Planning Made Easy

An informative and educational workshop for family members with loved ones of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or special needs! Many topics will be covered in this workshop. Including: guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, micro boards, wills, family trusts, special needs trusts, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Social Security Retirement and Survivor Benefits, Social Security Disability, Medicaid/Medicare, ABLE Accounts, budget planning, and transition planning. Learn why these disability and special needs planning documents are important to have and how they complement each other in an estate plan designed to protect yourself, your family, and/or your loved one's current and future quality of life and care. Don't be afraid to plan, be afraid if you don't plan.

Learn more at projectdsnp.com.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

11:45am - 12:45pm

Life After Stroke: Help for Stroke Survivors and Caretakers

Presented by: Christopher Ewing, Stroke Survivor and President/Founder, The Stroke Channel

Location: Workshop Area

A female stroke survivor works with a physical therapist to strengthen her arms.

Hosted by Emmy Award winning TV Host, Executive Producer and stroke survivor Christopher Ewing, this workshop is designed for stroke survivors, as well as their caregivers and loved ones. On April 21, 2018, Christopher suffered a near fatal hemorrhagic stroke while at his television studio in Hollywood, California. After five days in intensive care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and nearly a month-and-a-half at a rehabilitation hospital, Christopher's recovery has been called "miraculous." Because of what happened to him, Christopher has been on a mission to educate the public on stroke awareness around the world. He is the creator of The Stroke Channel, a 24/7, on-demand, television network seen on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, and "Life After Stroke," a popular radio show heard on iHeart Radio, Pandora and more.

During this workshop, Christopher will discuss some of the challenges that can follow a stroke and provide helpful advice for dealing with stroke in its aftermath. Discover what you can do to recover and move forward with your life after a stroke.

Learn more at thestrokechannel.tv.

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Wheelchair Seating Solutions for Kids

Presented by: J.D. Concepcion, ATP, Regional Manager, Stealth Products

Location: Workshop Area

Wheelchair Seating Solutions for Kids

This workshop is meant to provide families and caregivers of children who use various types of wheeled mobility devices with an overview of the different types of common seating and positioning devices. It will cover what each item is designed to do as well as specific considerations for children. Several topics will be discussed including why seating and positioning is so important for children, differences between adult and pediatric seating, steps you can take to ensure that your child is properly positioned in their current system, a systematic review of common seating and positioning devices.

Learn more at stealthproducts.com.

2:30pm - 3:30pm

All About Service Dogs

Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK

Location: Workshop

All About Service Dogs

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 about how one acquires a service dog, the support available to assist with covering the costs, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.

Learn more at CDK's website.

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