FREE workshops!
Take advantage of Free Workshops that focus on many topics from how to pay for everything you see at the show to accessible home design, complex caregiving, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair seating solutions.
There's no need to register - just arrive early to get your seat!
There's a lot going on at Abilities Expo! Be sure to also check out the Exhibitors and Events.
Professionals:
Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Accessibility Help Desk during the show for information on how to obtain a certificate. Certificate recipients must be registered attendees at the show.
* Workshop dates, times, topics, and speakers 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, August 2, 2024
11:45am - 12:45pm
Accessible Home Design: Kitchens & Bathrooms!
Presented By: Rachel Krishnan, AIA, Project Manager - Architecture, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Location: Workshop Area
Location: Workshop Area
How can my kitchen be made more accessible? Can kitchen appliances be more user-friendly? Could I retrofit my bathroom to include a spacious roll-in shower? Where should plumbing fixtures be located, and what type? Who should I hire to make sure my home renovation project will fit my needs? Whether it's a new accessible residence or retrofitting your existing home, learn ways to improve the accessibility of your kitchen and bathrooms. Information will be presented from several chapters of PVA's book, Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User, with real examples and case studies.
Learn more at pva.org/research-resources/accessible-design and the popular book from PVA: Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User, Second Edition (available for purchase online).
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Texas ABLE: A Savings Plan for Individuals with Disabilities
Presented By: Vanessa Goodson, MBA, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Texas ABLE Program
Location: Workshop Area
The Texas ABLE Program: the state's new savings program for Texans with disabilities. Come learn about the Texas Achieving A Better Life Experience (Texas ABLE®)program and how Texans with disabilities and their families can save for disability - related expenses in a tax-advantaged ABLE account without losing eligibility for certain public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Texas ABLE is based on federal and state legislation and is maintained by the state through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Funds in an ABLE account can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses that relate to the beneficiary's blindness or disability and are used to maintain or improve his or her health, independence or quality of life. This presentation will cover all the basics of ABLE and give you details on how to open an ABLE account in Texas. Learn more and enroll online at TexasABLE.org 844-4TX-ABLE (844-489-2253) [email protected]
Learn more at www.TexasABLE.org
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Best Practices in Home Modification for People with Disabilities (1.0 CEUs/CCUs/CEs)
Presented By: Russell Klein, CAPS, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, 101 Mobility of Houston Metro
Location: Workshop Area
Best Practices in Home Modification for People with Disabilities offers free training units (1.00 hours) to Social Workers, Case Managers, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists in the Houston Area.
FOCUS:
- Fall Prevention Strategies for people with physical disabilities involving balance or coordination
- Considerations and project costs related to modifications and devices installed to reduce fall risks in the home, e.g. lifts, ramps, elevators, roll-in showers, etc.
- Best Practices for successful aging in place
- Services and experiences of 101 Mobility of Houston
OBJECTIVES: After participating in this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the rationale for proactive reduction of risk for falls in the home
- Identify hazardous areas of the home and possible, current solutions to mitigate them
- Identify sources of funding for environmental modifications and/or assistive devices to improve the accessibility of a client's home.
ACCREDITING BODIES:
- Texas Occupational Therapy Association | TOTA
- Texas Physical Therapy Association | TPTA
- Commission for Case Manager Certification | CCMC
- University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work | UH: GCSW (UH: GCSW charges a $20 fee to issue certificates)
Learn more at https://www.101mobility.com/houston/
3:45pm – 4:45pm
Wheelchair Rugby from a Players Perspective
Presented By: Matthew Castelluccio, Vice President, Community Support - United Spinal Association
Location: Workshop Area
Join us for an informative session with a 20-year veteran of Wheelchair Rugby as they share the rich history of the sport. Discover how to get started, the numerous benefits it offers, and gain insights on how to connect with a local team. You'll also learn about the specialized equipment used in Wheelchair Rugby. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, this session promises to provide valuable insights and inspiration. Don't miss out on this opportunity to delve into the exciting world of Wheelchair Rugby!
Learn more at https://unitedspinal.org/
Saturday, August 3, 2024
11:45am – 12:45pm
Wheelchair Seating Solutions for Kids
Presented By: Heather R. Price, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
Location: Workshop Area
This workshop is meant to provide families and caregivers of children who use various types of wheeled mobility devices with an overview of the different types of common seating and positioning devices. It will cover what each item is designed to do as well as specific considerations for children. Several topics will be discussed including why seating and positioning is so important for children, differences between adult and pediatric seating, steps you can take to ensure that your child is properly positioned in their current system, a systematic review of common seating and positioning devices.
Learn more at https://stealthproducts.com/
1:00pm – 2:00pm
The Art of Complex Caregiving
Presented by: Linda M. Schultz, PhD, CRRN
Location: Workshop Area
For both individuals receiving care and those providing it, juggling a complex medical situation with a disability can become challenging. Pain management, bladder and bowel routines, skin care, and more all compete for attention and trying to prioritize tasks can be exhausting. In this workshop, attendees will hear from Linda Schultz, Ph.D., known best as "Nurse Linda" from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center. She will discuss ways to manage complex caregiving with simplicity, compassion, and grace. Attendees will leave this session having gained tips and strategies for preventing and managing stressful situations before they happen.
Learn more at christopherreeve.org/todays-care/living-with-paralysis/for-caregivers.
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Pride Mobility Consumer Roundtable
Presented by: Pride Mobility
Location: Room 108
Pride Mobility® wants to hear from you at the Houston Abilities Expo!
Our Consumer Roundtable is a dedicated, hour-long session that provides an opportunity for you to speak with our expert staff and give direct feedback about your mobility products.
If you are interested in sharing your ideas and experiences, we encourage you to register here for the Pride roundtable by Sunday, July 28. If you are chosen to participate, you will be contacted via email by Wednesday, July 31. Those who are chosen to participate will receive a $25 gift card for their time and input!
Should the Pride team have any additional questions, you will be contacted via email.
PLEASE NOTE: If you attend the roundtable, you are welcome to bring your own mobility product. However, any loaner scooters obtained at the show are not permitted and must be temporarily returned to the loaner area. Upon the conclusion of the roundtable, you may return to the loaner area to resume using your loaner scooter.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Investing in Safety: Key Home Modifications Enabling Accessibility and Fall Prevention
Presented By: Russell Klein, CAPS, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, 101 Mobility of Houston Metro
Location: Workshop Area
101 Mobility has been a leading Houston-area provider of home accessibility and mobility solutions for nearly a decade. Join our Director of Education, Russell Klein, CAPS, in a special presentation where he provides a comprehensive overview of common projects, devices, and costs linked to proactive fall reduction at home. The presentation covers key areas such as exterior entrances, transitions between floors, and common enhancements in the bathroom. We'll delve into pertinent considerations for managing a physical disability, aging in place, and the resources available for financial support.
Learn more at https://www.101mobility.com/houston/
3:45pm-4:45pm
Disability & Special Needs Planning Made Easy
Presented By: Andre Sam, Disability/Special Needs Planner - Disability & Special Needs Project
Location: Workshop Area
An informative and educational workshop for family members with loved ones of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or special needs! Many topics will be covered in this workshop. Including: 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. Learn 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 at: https://projectdsnp.com/
Sunday, August 4, 20924
11:45am – 12:45pm
Investing in Safety: Key Home Modifications Enabling Accessibility and Fall Prevention
Presented By: Russell Klein, CAPS, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, 101 Mobility of Houston Metro
Location: Workshop Area
101 Mobility has been a leading Houston-area provider of home accessibility and mobility solutions for nearly a decade. Join our Director of Education, Russell Klein, CAPS, in a special presentation where he provides a comprehensive overview of common projects, devices, and costs linked to proactive fall reduction at home. The presentation covers key areas such as exterior entrances, transitions between floors, and common enhancements in the bathroom. We'll delve into pertinent considerations for managing a physical disability, aging in place, and the resources available for financial support.
Learn more at https://www.101mobility.com/houston/
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Discover How to Pay for Everything You See Today
Presented By: Sonny Mullen, Director of Outreach, 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 at helphopelive.org.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Mark Wellman: No Limits
Presented By: Mark Wellman
Location: Workshop Area
Adventure athlete and motivational speaker Mark Wellman has traveled to each Abilities show with his adaptive climbing wall. He is the first paraplegic to climb Half Dome and El Capitan in Yosemite. Come hear his life story about his mountaineering accident to lighting the Paralympic torch in Atlanta and skiing 50 miles across the Sierra Nevada Mountain range!
Learn more at www.nolimitstahoe.com.