Abilities ambassadors hale from all corners of the disability community. They are leaders, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, veterans, athletes, celebrities, advocates and parents to special needs kids, and they may have just the answers you are looking for.
If you have a story to tell to the disability community, then we want to hear it! It could be an informative article on the range of subjects featured to the left. It could be meaningful advice base on your wealth of experience. It could be serious or entertaining and conveyed through words, video or images. It just has to be your story.
We are thrilled to bring Abilities Expo to the disability community in the southwest. First, we’ll show you all the latest products, tech and game-changing opportunities. Next, you can attend informative workshops on issues that matter to you. Then you can try your hand at a host of different adaptive sports, dancing and fun. Abilities Expo is free, so join us and register today.
Abilities Expo brings you thousands of game-changing products, services and technologies all under one roof. Regardless of the type and level of your disability, we strive to provide the resources you need to exceed your own expectations and thrive.
Attend free, info-packed workshops on issues that matter to you. Get tips on financial planning, making your home more accessible, traveling with a disability and how medical cannabis can help a variety of conditions. There's more, check it out!
Find your new favorite pastime at Abilities Expo! Try such inclusive activities as adaptive sports, dance, assistance animals and so much more for the kids of all ages! If something sparks your interest, you can find out how to engage year-round.
Whatever your ability, YOU can conquer the completely inclusive climbing wall! You'll reach the summit with the help of adaptive equipment and expert coaching from Paralympian Mark Wellman.
We'll have all sports all the time in the Ability360 Sport Zone! Come test your skills in wheelchair basketball, football and other fun sports. Buckle up for paracheer and adapted fitness events, too.
Join the Rollettes for some hip-hoppin' dance fun! Get a front row seat for their dynamic performances, then you get to learn their signature dance moves and how they make it look so effortless.
In our efforts to ensure a positive show experience, Abilities Expo endeavors to accommodate the disability community with a host of special show services including loaner scooters, sign language interpretation, free wheelchair, captioning services for the workshop and so much more!
Special Show Services for People with Disabilities
Free loaner scooters are available during show hours on a first come, first served basis. Is your wheelchair in need of a tune-up? Swing by the Free Wheelchair Repair Pavilion for minor maintenance.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available for those who need translation. All workshops are captioned through CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services.
Large print versions of the exhibitor list and the events/workshops schedule will be available on demand. Please request your copy at the registration counters.
Animals have become an intrinsic part of the disability community. Some are essential to the healing process, while others help their human partners become more independent.
Service Dogs
All About Service Dogs
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Canines for Disabled Kids
Saturday, September 10: 12:00 - 12:45 pm
Sunday, September 11: 12:00 - 12:45 pm
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.
Dancing is great for the body, and even better for spirit! Don't miss your change to get in the groove while improving fitness, strength and endurance.
Inclusive Dance Performances
Dance with The Rollettes Los Angeles!
Presented by The Rollettes Los Angeles
Saturday, September 10: 2:00 - 2:30 pm
Sunday, September 11: 2:00 - 2:30 pm
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 their performance, the audience can join the Rollettes to learn new moves.
The sidelines are no place for you so take your pick from a variety of interactive, adaptive sports. Not only will you get the blood pumping, improve fitness and build confidence, the fun factor is off the charts!
All Day, Every Day
Come on by to try some adaptive sports! Ability360 Sports and Fitness will have equipment and staff on hand to allow you to demo a variety of sports. The zone is open during all show open hours. A variety of sports will be featured.
Adapted Fitness
Presented by: Steph "The Hammer" Roach
Friday, September 9: 1:00 – 1:30 pm
Saturday, September 10: 1:00 – 1:30 pm
Experience Staying Driven live and in-person! This program is unique in the way it caters to the specific needs of the adaptive and aging population. It merges top-notch coaching with a supportive community to help everyday people achieve greater fitness potential. This educational, interactive experience is available to the public regardless of age, location, abilities, or skill level. Come be educated, empowered, and motivated to further your own fitness!
Adaptive Cheer and ParaCheer
Presented by: Spirit Wolves: the 2021 US National Adaptive Abilities Team
Saturday, September 10: 4:00 - 4:30 pm
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 it's your turn.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Coloplast and Mark Wellman, No Limits
Discover adaptive climbing! A sport that's open to people of ALL abilities! Plus, meet the best person to learn adaptive climbing from—Mark Wellman of No Limits! Mark has a spinal cord injury (SCI) and is an adventure athlete, speaker and author. Come climb the wall 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. And it's fun!
Roll with the Wind: Ride-Along Race Experience
Presented by: Ainsley's Angels of America
All Day, Every Day Test-drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! For anyone who would otherwise be unable 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.
WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Friday, September 9: 3:00 – 3:30 pm
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; however, standing participants are also welcome. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba and pom-pom dance.
I-17 South to SR-101 Loop – Eastbound into Scottsdale. Take the Pima/Princess exit. Make a left at Bell Road (second light) Continue east on Bell Road. Turn right on 94 Street. Travel south to the WestWorld entrance.
Directions | from the south (Tucson)
I-10 to to Mesa, take exit 161 to AZ 202 East. Take exit 50 onto AZ 101North, stay to the left and take Exit 38. Continue straight, turn right on Westworld Road and follow it to the WestWorld entrance at the horse sculpture.
Directions | from the east (Globe)
US-60 (Superstition Freeway) West to SR-101 Loop, SR-101 North to Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. exit. Exit at Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.. Move to far right lane. Continue straight, crossing the Frank Lloyd Wright intersection; move to right lane. The entrance is ½ block from interssection. Turn right at large horse statue.
Directions | from the west (California)
I-10 East to SR-101 North (near Tolleson). Remain on SR 101 into Scottsdale. Take the Pima/Princess exit. Make a left at Bell Road (second light) Continue east on Bell Road. Turn right on 94 Street. Travel south to the WestWorld entrance. Follow signs to RV Check-In.
Parking
Parking is $10 per day.
Please note that WestWorld has 3 entrances. The Main entrance is located just north of Frank Lloyd Wright on the north bound access road of SR-101. The north entrance is at 94th Street and Bell Road. The McDowell Mountain Ranch entrance is only open during show season and special events. Call in advance if you have any questions.
Transpo to the Expo
Free accessible, round-trip transportation from Ability360 to Abilities Expo at WestWorld of Scottsdale will be provided to Expo goers, compliments of AZ Spinal.
It is about a 20-25 ride there, so please plan accordingly. There are rest rooms in Ability360 if you need to use them prior to loading onto the vans. If you are interested in this free shuttle service, please click the button below and complete the form so that AZ Spinal can ensure there are enough vehicles to accommodate.