Aug 24 2010
Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans with disabilities and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, August 27, through Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Reliant 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. Complimentary rental scooters will available onsite during show hours and there will be free shuttle rides from four local hotels and the parking lot.
"Abilities Expo's distinguished 31-year track record of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology, education and networking will continue in Houston," 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 will experience cutting-edge products and services for people with a wide range of disabilities. 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 the latest AT products for people with wide ranges of physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. This pavilion is anchored by the Texas Technology Access Program from the University of Texas at Austin, 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, emergency preparedness, adaptive recreation, the new health care bill, accommodations for kids at school, the criteria to getting the best accessible vehicle, and that is just for starters.
Super X Fun Course, Comedy, Dancing and More!
Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. Attendees can test their maneuvering skills on the twists, turns and bumps of the Super X Fun Course, an obstacle course designed for wheelchairs. They'll also enjoy interactive canine assistance demos and hone their wheelchair line dancing moves. To round it out, there will be chair yoga, wheelchair tennis, competitive billiards, power soccer, handcycling, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, face painting for kids and an Artist Market showcasing the works of local artists with disabilities.
Celebrity Encounters
Famed actor, television icon and best-selling author Henry Winkler will share his personal story about his mother's struggle with upper limb spasticity in a compelling workshop sponsored by the "Open Arms: Raising Awareness of Upper Limb Spasticity" educational campaign on Saturday, August 28.
Fans will also have the chance to meet Jesse Billauer, extraordinary wheelchair athlete and founder of Life Rolls On, an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury utilizing action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis.
SOURCE Abilities Expo