Meet the Event Speakers!
Meet the speakers for the events at Abilities Expo - presenters of the all-day activities, demonstrations, and events at the show! They are people whose individual lives are as relevant to the Community as the issues they are addressing. Our speakers have years of experience and are highly knowledgeable in their fields. Many are recognized nationally and within their state for their ongoing work with people with disabilities. All our speakers have apparent and non-apparent disabilities, work in the disability field, or are the sibling or parent of a person with disabilities.
There's a lot to explore at Abilities Expo! Also 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.
Causeplay Alliance Project
CAP (Causeplay Alliance Project) is a cosplay, social organization that makes public appearances at charitable events in the Houston community and partners with those local charities to help raise awareness for the causes they support. Social Media
Event: Meet Your Favorite Cosplay Characters
City of Houston Parks and Recreation - Adaptive Division
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Adaptive Sports and Recreation section is headquartered at Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC) at West Gray. Adaptive Sports and Recreation offers a variety of recreational, sporting, and quality of life programming for people with differing abilities. The recreational opportunities include a structured class, fitness rooms, full-court gym, indoor heated pool, beep baseball field, tennis court, quarter-mile outdoor trail, urban garden, and a Vale-Asche Playground Without Limits. Adaptive sports opportunities include: wheelchair basketball for adults and youth, adaptive yoga, power soccer, boccia ball, air rifles and more.
Events: Adapative Tabata Fitness, Sitting Volleyball, and Wheelchair Lacrosse
Justin Graham, NASM-CPT, FNS
Justin Graham, creator of WOW Wheelchair Fitness, is a Certified Personal Trainer who has been working with the disability community since 2018. He has taught classes with Paralyzed Veterans Association (PVA), Triumph Sports Festival, Ability360 in Phoenix, Spina Bifida Association, and the Abilities Expos shows around the country. His dynamic charm attracts everyone to join his wheelchair fitness classes, combining strength training with dance, pom-poms, and just plain fun! Justin teaches fitness classes daily on the virtual platform WOW Wheelchair Fitness, which provides consistent, organized fitness and personal training via online sessions to increase healthy happiness in the disability community! Whether seated, standing or rolling, W.O.W. is designed for everyone to use! Justin excels at enticing even the shyest student to play along and get valuable exercise. Justin is based in Phoenix, AZ where he teaches live classes and one-on-one personal training in addition to his online classes. His joyous energy is a gift, bringing people of all ages and abilities together to dance with their peers.
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Event: WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class
Kristin Hartness
Public awareness and education are very important to CDK – so important that they travel the country to talk to students of all grade levels, civic groups, religious groups, and businesses about assistance dogs. CDK also offers different ways to help educate the public about service dogs including Educational Presentations, Booth Event Participation, Americans with Disability (ADA) consulting. Members of CDK staff and volunteers travel all over the country for these opportunities. Please contact us to learn more about how we might participate in your school, business, or community event.
Social Media
Event: All About Service Dogs
Lone Star Adaptive Soccer
Lone Star Adaptive Soccer Association knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. Back in 2018, our Non-Profit Organization realized that by working together we could overcome our challenges much more efficiently, and that is why we ultimately decided to launch Lone Star Adaptive Soccer Association.
Social Media
Events: Adaptive Soccer
USTA Texas Adaptive/Wheelchair Tennis and Adaptive Athletics at the University of Houston
USTA Texas Adaptive/Wheelchair Tennis supports and promotes the USTA adaptive and wheelchair tennis programs through education, trainings, grant funding and more. Their mission is to provide all Texas populations, including those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the game of tennis.
Adaptive Athletics at the University of Houston is a program dedicated to providing opportunities to the Houston community and collegiate athletes through Tennis. Their mission is to help students obtain their desired career while competing in the collegiate team, as well as providing opportunities and a closer community for the Houston wheelchair community.
Event: Tennis for Everyone!
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Wheel With Me Adapt Fit
Wheel With Me Adapt Fit was founded by Jesi Stracham and Nikki Walsh.
Nikki is an NASM certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, content creator and mentor for women with disabilities. She has been featured in Women's Health Magazine and Love What Matters.
Jesi is an NCI Certified Nutrition Coach, Adaptive Crossfit Certified, and Adaptive Training Certified. She has been featured on the Today Show, GMA3, Woman's Day Magazine, Shape.com and Yahoo.com.
Event: Wheel With Me Adapt Fit
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