We can't wait to show you all of products, tech and resources to help you up your game! Buckle up for an all-inclusive climbing wall, a meet-and-greet with a star of Disney's Wish, a slew of adaptive sports, fun dance opportunities, info-packed workshops and more. It's all free so get registered today.
Abilities Expo brings you thousands of game-changing products, services and technologies all under one roof. Regardless of the type and level of your disability, we strive to provide the resources you need to exceed your own expectations and thrive.
Attend free, info-packed workshops on issues that matter to you. Get tips on financial planning, making your home more accessible, traveling with a disability and how medical cannabis can help a variety of conditions. There's more, check it out!
Find your new favorite pastime at Abilities Expo! Try such inclusive activities as adaptive sports, dance, assistance animals, an adaptive climbing wall and so much more for the kids of all ages! If something sparks your interest, you can find out how to engage year-round.
There is just so much to see and do at Abilities Expo. Here are a few opportunities you don't want to let pass you by.
Meet Jennifer Kumiyama, the talented voice actor behind Dahlia in Disney's new animated hit film, WISH! She's also a singer, disability advocate, former Ms. Wheelchair California and more.
This unique space is dedicated to providing a safe and tranquil environment where kids can find peace and regain focus amidst the heightened sensory input of the event.
Join the world-famous Rollettes for some hip-hoppin’ dance fun! Get a front row seat for their dynamic performances, then you get to learn their signature dance moves and how they make it look so effortless.
Don’t miss our life-enhancing exhibits, dynamic workshops and fun events for kids of all ages!
In our efforts to ensure a positive show experience, Abilities Expo endeavors to accommodate the disability community with a host of special show services including loaner scooters, sign language interpretation, free wheelchair, captioning services for the workshop and so much more!
Free loaner scooters are available during show hours on a first come, first served basis. Wheelchair need a tune-up? Swing by the Sunrise Medical Free Wheelchair Repair Pavilion for minor maintenance.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available for those who need translation. All workshops are captioned through CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services.
Large print versions of the exhibitor list as well as the events and workshops schedule will be available on demand at the Expo. Please request your copy at the registration counters.
Animals have become an intrinsic part of the disability community. Some are essential to the healing process, while others help their human partners become more independent.
Presented by: Kristin Hartness, Executive Director, Canines for Disabled Kids
Friday, March 15: 12:00 - 12:45 pm
Saturday, March 16: 1:00 - 1:45 pm
Discover how service dogs are meeting the needs of people with many different disabilities. Find out the many ways service dogs can help achieve independence in people's lives – from picking up a cell phone to providing physical stability, even counting money! Service dogs are available for many different types of disability, including vision and hearing loss, mobility, autism and seizure/allergy alert. Learn about funding support, the process to acquire a dog, and what to expect from your service dog provider organization.
Dancing is great for the body, and even better for spirit! Don't miss your change to get in the groove.
Dance with The Rollettes!
Line Dancing for All
Tap Dance For All
Presented by: The Rollettes Los Angeles
Saturday, March 16: 2:00 - 2:30 pm
Join us for a high-energy, live performance by the Rollettes Los Angeles, an incredible wheelchair dance team. The dance team performs unique and captivating routines across the globe as well as sharing their stories of adversity and how through determination and high spirits they've gone on with their lives to fulfill their dreams to dance. Following the performance, it's your turn!
Presented by: Straight Up Abilities
Sunday, March 17: 2:00 - 2:30 pm
"Everyone can and should dance" is the motto of Straight Up Abilities. Enjoy performances by the high-energy Straight Up Abilities AllStar Group and the awesome WizStars from the JSPACC. Then they will lead the audience in some easy-to-learn line dances. Straight Up Abilities' Director Robin Olive and Teacher Gaby Alcazar will also teach some simple sign language to the dance songs.
Presented by: Victoria Moore Tap
Saturday, March 16: 12:00 - 12:30 pm
Would you like to tap dance? Think you can't? With Tap For All, everybody can enjoy the fun of creating rhythms. By taking the taps off the shoes and putting them onto specially designed tap mittens, sitting tap dancers can now execute any rhythm a standing tap dancer can. Add a specially designed tap board you use on your lap or a table - and tap becomes accessible to all. Come try for yourself!
The sidelines are no place for you so take your pick from a variety of interactive, adaptive sports. Get the blood pumping, improve fitness and build confidence…and the fun factor is off the charts!
Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe
Sponsored by: Coloplast
Presented by: The Skate Connection
Saturday, March 16: 3:00 - 3:45 pm
The Skate Connection is committed to providing opportunities for people with and without disabilities to skateboard together and cultivate an integrated community deeply rooted in the love for skateboarding. This dynamic organization that has sprouted from a small crew of skateboarders to a movement that is reaching communities all across California and connecting the hearts of skateboarders worldwide.
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Sunday, March 17: 1:00 - 1:45 pm
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!
Presented by: The Long Beach Beauties
Sunday, March 17: 12:00 – 12:45 pm
The Long Beach Beauties is a cheer program for differently abled children and young adults ages eight and up from all over Los Angeles and Orange counties. They have been cheering for over four years at events including: Jamz Nationals in Las Vegas, Dodgers Stadium Cheer Day, the Southern California Special Olympics (SOSC) Summer Games and Abilities Expo Los Angeles!
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Friday, March 15: 1:00 - 1:45 pm
Sitting volleyball is a version of volleyball where athletes play in a seated position. The sitting game uses the same volleyball skills and techniques as the standing game - with a few rule differences. Players sit on mats and the net is lower than for standing volleyball. It's a fast-paced game! Come learn more and try sitting volleyball for yourself.
Presented by: Angel City Sports
All Day, Every Day
Come on by to try a variety of adaptive sports! At the Sports Zone you'll discover equipment and staff support so you can try several different sports. The Sports Zone is organized and presented by Angel City Sports. The Zone will be open whenever the show is open!
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Friday, March 15: 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paged game for those with a permanent lower extremity disability that precludes then from playing competitive stand up basketball. When the sport began it was only for those with spinal cord injuries; now people with many types of disabilities can play. You don't need to be a full-time wheelchair user although you do need to use a wheelchair when playing the sport.
Presented by: Justin Graham, Certified Personal Trainer, Creator, W.O.W. Wonders on Wheels
Friday, March 10: 2:00 - 2:30 pm
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; however, standing participants are also welcome. Featuring elements of weight training, Zumba, and pom-pom dance. Standing participants are also welcome!
Presented by: Angel City Sports
Friday, March 15: 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Discover wheelchair football! Meet members of the new Los Angeles Rams wheelchair football team. See what the sport is all about, try some drills, and throw a few balls yourself. Plus, learn how you can get involved with playing wheelchair football in SoCal.
Explore how assistive technology can help you or your loved
ones bridge the gap between ability and disability!
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. Ask questions and discuss recommendations to find the most appropriate technology for your abilities and needs. The AT Network at Ability Tools expands the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase independence, improve personal productivity, and enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Los Angeles Convention Center
West Hall A
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
From 110 North, transition to the 10 West and exit immediately from the left lane to Pico Blvd. The Pico offramp becomes L.A. Live Way. Turn right into the West Hall parking garage.
From 110 North, exit at 9th Street. Turn right on Flower Street, right on 11th Street and left on L.A. Live Way. Turn left into the West Hall parking garage.
From 110 South, exit at Olympic Blvd. Turn left at bottom of ramp onto Blaine and left on 11th Street. Make an immediate right on L.A. Live Way and left into the West Hall garage.
From 10 West, transition to the 110 North (Downtown) and exit at Pico Blvd. The Pico off-ramp becomes L.A. Live Way. Turn right into the West Hall parking garage.
From 10 East, exit at Grand Ave. Turn left on Olive Street and left on Pico Blvd. Turn right on L.A. Live Way and right into the West Hall parking garage.
From 10 East, transition to the 110 North and exit at 9th Street. Turn right on Flower Street, right on 11th Street and left on L.A. Live Way. Turn left into the West Hall parking garage.
By Metrolink Rail: Take the Metro Red Line. Exit at 7th Street then transfer to the Metro Blue Line (Long Beach). Exit at Pico Boulevard Station. Then walk one block west to Figueroa Street.
Take route 413 - From Temple/Hill (Civic Center) to 11th /Figueroa Street (LACC).
Passenger drop-off/Parking: If your passenger requires an elevator, enter the gates of the West Hall Parking Garage of the LACC at the traffic light on Pico Blvd. between Figueroa Blvd. and L.A. Live Way. Turn right and proceed to the attendant who will direct your passenger to the elevator and you to parking.
If you do not require an elevator, you may also enter the gates of the West Hall Parking Garage of the LACC from L.A. Live Way at the West 12th Street traffic light, which is between Chick Hearn Court and Pico Blvd. Proceed to the attendant who will direct your passenger to the drop-off location and you to parking.
Parking at the LACC is $25/entry and subject to change.
If you will be driving a conversion van taller than 7', special parking arrangements have been made. Please drive to the loading dock ramp on L.A. Live Way for accessible parking. The LACC is not able to accept motor homes in their parking lot.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is unique among the nation’s transportation agencies. It serves as transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for one of the country’s largest, most populous counties. More than 9.6 million people – nearly one-third of California’s residents – live, work, and play within Metro’s 1,433-square-mile transportation service area.
Besides operating over 2,200 peak-hour buses on an average weekday, Metro also designed, built and now operates 73.1 miles of Metro Rail service. The Metro Rail system consists of the Metro Red Line and Purple Line subways, and the Metro Blue, Green Line, and Gold Lines. In total, the Metro Rail system serves 70 rail stations stretching from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Universal City and North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley, from downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena and East Los Angeles, and Norwalk to El Segundo, and all points in between.
With 200 bus lines and five rail lines, Metro can take you just about anywhere in LA County. To get more detailed information, please turn on your computer and click on Metro.net, then “Rider’s Guide”.
Attending the Abilities Expo using public transportation is easy and convenient. If you live near a Metro Rail line, you can take the rail to the Blue Line, exit at Pico Station and head west. Pico Station is one block from the LA Convention Center. Several Metro bus lines service the Convention Center: Express Lines 439 and 442, Rapid Line 730, and Local Lines 30, 31 and 81. Additionally, eight other transit agencies pick up and drop off near the Center.
Metro's Reduced Fare Programs enable eligible applicants to obtain special TAP cards for reduced-rate fares and passes. For more information about eligibility and applications, visit metro.net.
TAP is a fare payment system used by Metro and many other regional transit agencies. TAP is a durable plastic card with an electronic chip inside that you can use again and again.
You can load your TAP card at TAP vending machines at all Metro Rail and Metro Orange Line stations, Metro Customer Centers, and approximately 400 pass sales outlets.
For additional information about Metro’s Reduced Fare Program, visit metro.net; for more information about TAP, visit taptogo.net.
Interest in renting a wheelchair van to come to the Expo? United Access, part of the BraunAbility family, has a variety of options for you to choose from.
Local disability activists spearhead Abilities Expo's community outreach initiatives.
Meet the impressive individuals who have chosen to represent Abilities Expo to the Community.
I was 19 years old and thought I had the world at my fingertips. I loved to ride dirt bikes, surf, snow board, wake board, fish and work out. On November 27, 1993 just after Thanksgiving, my parents and brother joined some of our family in Laughlin, Nevada, while I stayed home since I had to work. Believe it or not, this was the first time my parents left me home for an extended period of time. Since they were gone, I thought what better time to have some friends over. A good friend came over with his street bike—which I loved to ride—and I later took another friend for a ride on the back of the bike late that night. While I was driving the motorcycle with my friend, he fell off. With the balance was thrown off, I was not able to keep the bike on the street. The bike swerved off the road and I hit a telephone poll. I would soon learn that my life would not be the same.
Accessibility Consultant | TV & Radio Personality | Brand Ambassador | Keynote Speaker
Over 20 years ago, after being involved in a multi car collision that left him a C-6 Quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair, Paul's life was nowhere near where it is today. In fact, there was a time when he and his doctors believed that he only had 72 hours left in his life. Paul ended up spending 8 months in a hospital recovering. Undeterred and inspired to live his dreams, Paul attended the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting in 2006. He went on to graduate from the school with honors.
Donna Russo is proud to be an Ambassador for the Abilities Expo for the last 4 years.
Donna was born with Turners Syndrome, a chromosomal disorder in which a female is born with only one X chromosome, and now has adult onset FSH Muscular Dystrophy, a condition that slowly robs the muscles of movement. The two conditions are unrelated. She is 4' 5"tall, many women with Turners Syndrome are of small stature. Donna started dancing at the age of 10 with ballet and tap and later adding jazz, modern and acting classes.
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