FREE workshops!
Take advantage of Free Workshops that focus on everything from tips for traveling with a disability and home modifications to methods for funding and ways to use common, everyday toys as therapy tools.
There's no need to register - just arrive early to get your seat!
Professionals:
- Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Accessibility Help Desk following each workshop for your certificate. (Please note there are no CEU approved courses at this year’s Abilities Expo).
* Dates and times of workshops 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, September 9, 2022
11:45am – 12:45pm
Accessible Home Design: The Basics
Presented by: Mark Lichter, AIA, Director of Architecture, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
Location: Workshop
Can I retrofit my master bathroom to include a spacious roll-in shower? What must I do to install an elevator in my two-story home? How can my flower garden be made more accessible? Who should I hire to make sure my home renovation project will fit my needs? Accessible Home Design: The Basics will address improving the accessibility in each specific area of a home, as well as what you need to know before taking on a renovation project. Whether it's a new accessible residence or retrofitting your existing home, information will be presented with real examples and case studies. Subject matter will include entering your home, residential elevators and lifts, kitchen design, bathrooms and plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, outdoor areas, and gardens, and much more.
Learn More! Visit pva.org/AccessibleDesign.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Disability and Special Needs Planning Made Easy
Presented by: Andre Sam, Disability & Special Needs Project
Location: Workshop Area
Join us for an informative and educational workshop for family members with loved ones of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or special needs. Topics covered in this workshop include 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. This workshop will explain 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! Visit projectdsnp.com.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Discover How to Pay for Everything You See Today
Presented by: Sonny Mullen and Kelly L. Green, Help Hope Live
Location: Workshop Area
Did you know that you can fundraise to cover the costs of everything you see at Abilities Expo? From power wheelchairs to accessible vehicles, from adaptive bikes to home modifications. And more! Help Hope Live wants to help make this happen! Come find out how the Help Hope Live non-profit organization works closely with Abilities Expo exhibitors and others – to get our clients on their way to independence!
Learn More! Visit helphopelive.org.
Saturday, September 10, 2022
11:45am – 12:45pm
Back to Life, Career, and Purpose
Presented by: Vincent Rutley, Entrepreneur and Disability Advocate, WHILL Ambassador
Location: Workshop Area
Vincent Rutley is an entrepreneur, actor, and disability advocate. Discover his tips for how disabled wheelchair users can purchase the career of their dreams after catastrophic life changing injury.
Learn more! Connect with Vincent on Facebook.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Polypharmacy: What Is It and Are You at Risk?
Presented by: Jay Gupta, RPh, MTM Consultant, C-IAYT and Terry Gupta, MSW, C-IAYT, YACEP, E-RYT500
Location: Workshop Area
This workshop is presented by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and is geared toward anyone who lives with paralysis from disease, injury, or birth condition as well as their loved ones.
Medications are intended to improve our health and well-being. Some medications present more risks and adverse reactions than others. Persons who live with disabilities often take multiple medications to treat secondary/other chronic conditions which may escalate risks and reactions. This session will:
- Outline the incidence of polypharmacy and discuss who is at most risk.
- Explore the implications of polypharmacy and changing impact of COVID-19.
- Provide inspiration and strategies to minimize the risks and reduce polypharmacy where possible to enhance health and resilience.
Learn More! Visit christopherreeve.org.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Rediscover America – Accessible Travel in the USA!
Presented by: Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com
Location: Workshop
America the beautiful! The United States is vastly diverse! Both in topography and geology as well as theology and culture. Ashley Lyn Olson has driven much of the country – discovering how each state has unique treasures, whether man-made or natural. Tourists from around the globe come to this country to experience wild and wacky Americana, but what about you? Have you taken a bite of that apple pie or is it collecting dust on the windowsill? Time to make plans to hit the road, even if it's just a day trip. Get out there in the sunshine and breath fresh air. Going for a scenic drive with the windows down fuels the soul. Being in nature is incredibly invigorating, which is one reason why I always recommend visiting regional, state, and national parks, as well as gardens, monuments, forests, wetlands, wildlife preserves, and so-on. So, what's to explore in the great outdoors? Lots to discuss here. What are the most scenic drives in America? What weird, kooky, funky, cheesy, controversial, or out of the ordinary attractions are there to see? Let's take the American backroads to explore the unexpected and the outdoor spaces we've long to see.
Learn more! Visit wheelchairtraveling.com/.
3:45pm – 4:45pm
Assistive Robots: Fact and Fiction
Presented by: Mike Dooley, CEO, Labrador Systems, MBA
Location: Workshop Area
Exciting new technologies coming out of the consumer electronics industry are allowing companies to build safe and reliable robots for homes, hospitals, senior living, and restaurants. This presentation will provide an education on what is possible now and what is probable in the future as it relates to robots, independence, and health at home.
Learn more! Visit labradorsystems.com/.
Sunday, September 11, 2022
1:00pm – 2:00pm
An Overview of Medical Cannabis
Presented by: The Social Impact Center
Location: Workshop Area
This educational program will help you gain knowledge and an understanding of the Medical Cannabis Program in the state of Arizona. The presentation will cover basic medical cannabis facts and misconceptions, as well as the science behind medical cannabis and how it works in our bodies. We will also take an in-depth look at the law, including recent updates, and the application process.
Learn more! Visit thesocialimpactcenter.org.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Therapeutic Use of Toys
Presented by: Kendra Garcia, COTA/L, ECHM, The OT Strategist
Location: Workshop Area
What is "play"? Recognizing that play is an important and meaningful occupation for children. Toys are the tools and building blocks for promoting healthy child development. Toys also aid in facilitating gross motor, fine motor, sensory motor, cognitive, and social development. As an Occupation Therapy provider working with children, Kendra Garcia has created this interactive workshop to provide caregivers and clinicians with the tools to recognize the therapeutic value when selecting toys. This workshop will assist you in selecting age-appropriate toys to address specific targeted development areas. You'll gain information on how to understand labels in layman's terms and identifying the therapeutic value of toys from toy stores as well as simple toys like those that come with happy meals.
Learn more! Visit theotstrategist.com/.