Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, April 9, through Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.
Abilities Expo has put together an impressive line-up of exhibits, celebrities, workshops, events and activities to appeal to the full spectrum of people with disabilities, from children to seniors and everyone in between.
"Abilities Expo's distinguished 31-year track record of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology, education and networking will continue in Los Angeles," said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. "Between the adaptive sports demonstrations, the interactive assistive technology pavilion, the dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display ... this is a must-attend for everyone in the Community."
The Latest Products and Services
Attendees expecting cutting-edge products and services for people with all types of disabilities will not be disappointed. They will find mobility products, medical equipment, home accessories, essential services, low-cost daily living aids, products for people with visual impairments and much more. The new Assistive Technology Pavilion will feature 2,000 square feet of the latest AT products for people with wide ranges of physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. This pavilion is anchored by the Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK), who is sponsoring an Interactive Demo Lab. This lab will not only feature an array of breakthrough assistive technologies, it will allow Expo visitors to experience them hands-on.
Relevant Workshops
A series of compelling workshops which address pressing disability issues will be offered free-of-charge to all attendees. Sessions will focus on travel, dating, finances, home modifications, the criteria to getting the best accessible vehicle and that is just for starters. Special sessions will also be available for healthcare professionals.
Extreme 360 Wheelchair Back Flip, Rock Climbing, Adaptive Rowing and More!
Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. "Wheelz" Fotheringham will perform his jaw-clenching, Guinness-record earning wheelchair back flip. Attendees who thought rock climbing was outside the realm of possibility will find themselves at the top of a fully-accessible adaptive rock climbing wall. The next Ms. Wheelchair California will be crowned on site. To round it out, there will be interactive adaptive sports, dance performances and instruction, adaptive rowing, canine assistance demos, kid-focused activities and an Artist Market showcasing the works of local artists with disabilities. There will even be free H1N1 vaccinations administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health while supplies last.
Celebrity Encounters
Actor, writer and producer Richard "Jaws" Kiel will be signing autographs and photos for fans at the Expo. The 7'2" Hollywood legend is best known as the relentless, steel-tooth assassin who pursues James Bond across multiple continents in The Spy Who Loved Me and as Adam Sandler's biggest fan in Happy Gilmore.
Paralympian athlete Angela Madsen will also be on hand to demonstrate adaptive rowing and showcase her famous ocean rowing boat, RowofLife. It was this vessel that carried her into Guinness record fame as the first woman to row across the Indian Ocean.
Miracles Happen
Attendee Desiree Trujillo, the mother of five-year-old Alexzander, a child with congenital cerebral palsy, is especially excited about the upcoming event. "I can't wait for the new Abilities Expo!" she said. "Zander has gotten very good with the walker he received at last year's show and wants to show off."
When fitted with Prime Engineering's KidWalk at the 2009 Southern California Abilities Expo, Alexzander walked hands-free for the first time. Witnessing the child's profound transformation from a neighboring booth, Joe Hallock and Gregg Weinschrieder, co-owners of SleepSafe Beds, bought the life-changing equipment for him.
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