Activities, Demonstrations, and Special Events!
Here is the 2024 Abilities Expo line-up. Check back to find out what's in store for 2025.
Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of activities and demonstrations! So you can try sports and dance, learn about service dogs, discover ways to be fit, and connect to programs in the local area.
All events take place in the Auti Angel Events Arena unless otherwise noted.
There's a lot to explore at Abilities Expo Dallas! Check out the Exhibitors and Workshops!
* The dates, times, topics, and speakers for these events are subject to change without notice. The opinions presented at the events are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Abilities Expo. Event 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 events.
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe
Location: Booth #653
Adaptive climbing is a sport that is open to people of all abilities! It's not just for experienced athletes. There is no better person to learn adaptive climbing from than Mark Wellman of No Limits. Mark has SCI and is an adventure athlete, speaker and author. Come climb the wall using Mark's innovative adaptive climbing techniques and adaptive sports gear! Climbing has tremendous benefits - building confidence, developing goal-setting skills, increasing strength, and improving flexibility. And it's fun! Mark is a former Paralympian and Park Ranger, and he is the first paraplegic to summit El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. He dedicates his time to improving the quality of life for adults and children with disabilities including disabled war veterans.
Learn more: www.nolimitstahoe.com
Assistive Technology Showcase
Presented by: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP)
Location: #645
Explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved ones bridge the gap between ability and disability! See and try a selection of assistive technology, with options for all disabilities. TTAP staff are available to offer suggestions and share their extensive knowledge. To help you find the most appropriate technology for your abilities and needs. TTAP develops programs to improve access, advocacy, and awareness of Assistive Technology to meet the needs of Texans with disabilities.
Learn more at the TTAP website.
Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth
Presented by: FEMA Region 6
Location: Booth #351
Meet representatives of disability and emergency management organizations who are active in emergency planning and are working to ensure the Houston and greater Texas region will be more resilient when disaster strikes. Gain vital personal preparedness tips to help you create realistic plans to meet your needs, maintain your independence, and recover from emergency and disaster situations. Share your questions and concerns! Pick up free information and resources!
Learn more! National resources available at ready.gov/disability. Texas resources available at texasready.gov.
Sports Zone
Presented by Rise Adaptive Sports
Location: Booth #362 (Near Events Arena)
Come on out for your chance to try out all sorts of adaptive sports! Sit volleyball, wheelchair football, wheelchair skate, wheelchair rugby, hand cycling and more! See these sports in action, try them for yourself, and ask questions to find a sport to be a part of. This event is presented by RISE Adaptive Sports, who assists people with physical challenges to "Recover, Inspire, Succeed and Empower" themselves and others by providing inclusive adaptive recreational sports programs.
Learn more! Visit Rise Adaptive Sports.
All About Service Dogs
Presented By: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
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.
Adaptive Soccer
Presented By: Lone Star Adaptive Soccer
Location: Events Arena
Adaptive soccer offers the opportunity for athletes of all ages and with a variety of limb differences to play soccer in both recreational and competitive settings. Come learn about this sport, watch a demonstration, see the equipment, and even try it for yourself!
Learn more at lonestaradaptivesoccer.org.
W.O.W. Dance Fitness Party
Presented By: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Location: Events Arena
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. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!
Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.
Wheelchair Lacrosse
Presented By: Dallas Stampede
Location: Events Arena
Dallas Stampede Wheelchair Lacrosse team members will be on site with equipment to demonstrate and answer questions about the sport. Equipment will be available for attendees to try and play wheelchair lacrosse.
Visit their Facebook page to learn more!
Wheelie Babes Dance & Community
Presented By: Wheelie Babes
Location: Events Arena
Performance by our hometown dance team! Experience the power of wheels as they bring adaptive dance to life. After the show, stick around for a game where everyone is welcome. It's a perfect opportunity for community and the joy of movement!
Learn more at https://www.wheeliebabes.com.
Face Painting
Presented by: iPAINTbyTaj
Location: Next to Events Arena
Face, arm, and hand painting are great ways for children to dress up - no costume required! Kids delight in this opportunity to transform their appearance! Painting is complimentary and paints are approved professional face paints that will wash off with soap and water. Just for kids aged 18 and under. Based on availability. Face painting is a popular activity, and we recommend you arrive early to ensure a spot. Please note the line for face painting closes 30 minutes prior to the close of face painting for the day.
Learn more at TikTok @ipaintbytag.
All About Service Dogs
Presented By: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, CDK
Location: Events Arena
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.
Adaptive Golf
Presented by: Gianna Rojas, The One Handed Lady Golfer and Founder, AdaptiveGolfers.org
Location: Events Arena
The game of golf provides a wonderful recreation opportunity for all. But golf is so much more than just a leisure game or a sport. It can be a therapeutic activity for individuals with different (not dis-) ABILITIES. Adaptive golf means understanding how to apply one's own ABILITIES to enjoy golf by making modifications (big or small) to how the game is learned, swing techniques, equipment used, and the delivery of instruction to allow an individual to play golf to their fullest potential. Come try the sport at this interactive demo!
Learn more at adaptivegolfers.org and watch a video about the journey of adaptive golf.
Meet Paralympian Jarryd Wallace in the Toyota Booth
Presented by: Toyota Mobility
Location: Booth #429
Meet world-class athlete and Paralympian Jarryd Wallace at the Toyota booth! He has an impressive three Paralympics, four world records and three gold medals from the World Championship Games under his belt. Come take a selfie, get his autograph and hear his amazing journey firsthand. And while you are there, be sure to check out how Toyota is helping to redefine independence and adventure with the accessible Toyota Tundra pick-up and hybrid Toyota Sienna.
Learn more at Toyota Mobility.
Ayita Wheelchair Dance Performance and Class
Presented by: Ayita Wheelchair Dance
Location: Events Arena
Meet the young ladies of this amazing Texas-based wheelchair dance troupe! Ayita is a dance class for children who use wheelchairs with a mission to inspire, encourage, and build confidence! Abilities Expo is thrilled to welcome these talented young dancers to the show. They will be treating the crowd to a thrilling performance. Then it's your chance to join them on the dance floor and learn some new moves at their dance class. Ayita dance classes take place in Fort Worth, TX.
Visit their Facebook page to learn more!
Sledhockey
Presented By: Dallas Stars Adaptive Sports / Sledhockey
Location: Events Arena
Dallas Stars Sledhockey team members will be on site with sledhockey equipment to demonstrate and answer questions about the sport. Equipment will be available for attendees to sit in a sled and see what it's like.
Visit their Instagram page and Facebook page for more information.
W.O.W. Dance Fitness Party
Presented By: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Location: Events Arena
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. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!
Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.
Stevie Hopkins Day
Presented by: Abilities Expo
In loving memory of our dear friend, every Sunday of the 2024 Abilities Expos will be Stevie Hopkins Day. We invite all who knew and admired Stevie to proudly wear their 3E Love apparel, featuring the Wheelchair Heart that has become emblematic within the disability community.
3E Love merchandise will be distributed to everyone who posts about the Abilities Expo Dallas to any of your social media platforms before or at the event. Don't forget to tag @AbilitiesExpo on Facebook/X or @abilities_expo on Instagram. Just show your post at the Expo registration desk to receive your merch. Offer is good while supplies last.
Learn more about Stevie Hopkins.
Face Painting
Presented by: iPAINTbyTaj
Location: Next to Events Arena
Face, arm, and hand painting are great ways for children to dress up - no costume required! Kids delight in this opportunity to transform their appearance! Painting is complimentary and paints are approved professional face paints that will wash off with soap and water. Just for kids aged 18 and under. Based on availability. Face painting is a popular activity, and we recommend you arrive early to ensure a spot. Please note the line for face painting closes 30 minutes prior to the close of face painting for the day.
Learn more at TikTok @ipaintbytag.
Pickleball Demo
Presented By: United Spinal Association - North Texas Chapter
Location: Events Arena
A demonstration of adaptive doubles pickleball.
Learn more at https://www.northtexasusa.org/.
Wheelchair Tennis: Your New Favorite Sport!
Presented By: Dallas Wheelchair Tennis Club
Location: Events Arena
Come and try out Wheelchair Tennis in a FUN social way, designed to bring new players to the courts and we'll have you playing the game in 10 minutes!
Learn more at https://www.northtexasusa.org/.
Adaptive Soccer
Presented By: Lone Star Adaptive Soccer
Location: Events Arena
Adaptive soccer offers the opportunity for athletes of all ages and with a variety of limb differences to play soccer in both recreational and competitive settings. Come learn about this sport, watch a demonstration, see the equipment, and even try it for yourself!
Learn more at lonestaradaptivesoccer.org.
Jasmine’s Beat Adaptive Dance Performance
Presented By: Jasmine's Beat Adaptive Dance Company
Location: Events Arena
Discover adaptive dance with Jasmine's Beat! Learn about this innovative dance company and all that they do. You can even join in the dance performance. Learn simple dance moves, practice with the dancers, and perform the dance! You'll also learn how to take dance classes with the company. The styles of dance shown will be adaptive fusion and will be a mixture of American Sign Language, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Bollywood. The goal of this event is to show how you can have fun, make friends, and gain traction on attaining therapeutic goals with dance. All Jasmine's Beat instructors are either therapists or trained individuals with experience working with students of all ages and all disabilities.
Learn more at JasminesBeat.com.
W.O.W. Dance Fitness Party
Presented By: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Location: Events Arena
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. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!
Learn more at wowwheelchairfitness.com.