Los Angeles Event Speakers

Ability Tools

A Program of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

Ability Tools, formerly the AT Network, is California's Assistive Technology Act Program. They provide a variety of services for Californians with disabilities of all ages. Their services include: NATADS assistive technology portal, device lending and demo centers, financial loan program for assistive technology (AT), information and referral, and a reuse program in affiliation with organizational partners. In addition, they provide in-person and webinar trainings, technical assistance to organizations on AT issues and coordinate the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition. Ability Tools offers a FREE membership to anyone interested in learning more about AT and looking to connect with other like-minded individuals via the Ability Tools listserv. Ability Tools is made possible through funding from the Department of Rehabilitation, financed by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration with funds allocated by the Assistive Technology Act of 2004.

Event: Assistive Technology Showcase

Angel City Sports

Angel City Sports started with an idea in 2013, then the first Angel City Games in 2015. Today the organization offers a year-round schedule of introductory adaptive sport clinics, giving athletes opportunities to participate, learn and train in a variety of sports. They've expanded the Angel City Games from two to four days, adding new sport clinics and competitions including Archery, Swimming, Wheelchair Tennis, Track & Field, and Wheelchair Basketball. They're building an inventory of Adaptive Sports equipment to be loaned or rented to other programs and individuals who want to get into the game. As more participants join them throughout the year at clinics and events they look forward to learning about their goals and aspirations to participate in Adaptive Sports.

Events: Sports Zone, Adaptive Sports Events

Earthquake Country Alliance

Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) is a public-private-grassroots partnership of people, organizations, and regional alliances that work together to improve earthquake and tsunami preparedness, mitigation, and resiliency. ECA develops resources and organizes activities to help everyone who lives, works, or travels in earthquake country be prepared to survive and recover quickly. Get started with their accessibility resources and visit their website to learn more.

Event: Emergency Preparedness Resource Booth

Justin Graham, NASM-CPT, FNS

Certified Personal Trainer and Founder, WOW Wheelchair Fitness

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.

Event: WOW Wheelchair Fitness Class

Kristin Hartness

Executive Director, CDK

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 the CDK team to learn more about how we might participate in your school, business, or community event.

Event: All About Service Dogs

Jennifer Kumiyama

Disability Advocate, Singer, and Actress

Jennifer Kumiyama was born with Arthrogryposis and uses a wheelchair daily. She earned a spot on Warner Bros. reality TV show "Popstars 2" and earned national accolades from many publications including Variety Magazine and TV Guide – referring to her as "the girl in the wheelchair, who's voice blew everyone out of the water". Shortly after that in 2002 – Jennifer was cast in Disney's "Aladdin; a Musical Spectacular" at Disney California Adventure Theme Park, where she is the first performer in a wheelchair to ever be on any Disney stage in the world. She performed 4 times a day for 8,000 guests a day, who visit from every corner of the world. It was at Disney that Jennifer took on her real role as an advocate for people living with disabilities – showing the entire world that talent sees no boundaries. This motivated her to become a speaker – sharing her story with schools, social groups, and major businesses. Her new passion, in addition to singing – is being a voice for people living with disabilities by breaking attitudinal and architectural barriers. "Aladdin; a Musical Spectacular" closed on January 10, 2016. In 2010, Jennifer was crowned Ms. Wheelchair California and Ms. Wheelchair America 2011, 1st Runner Up. During her reign she spread the message of hope through her platform "Empowering Children with Disabilities to Make Their Own Dreams Come True". Jennifer was cast in a major role as 'Carmen' in Sundance Film Festival hit and Academy Award Nominated film "The Sessions", MTV's teen sensation "Awkward" and "Celebrity Undercover Boss". Since the closing of 'Aladdin' Jennifer worked for former Long Beach Councilwoman, Senator Lena Gonzalez, former Long Beach Mayor Dr. Robert Garcia and is also an elected AD 70 Delegate in the California Democratic Party. Jennifer can be heard as the voice of Dahlia in Disney's new hit animated feature 'Wish', released in theaters everywhere November 22nd, 2023. Jennifer is currently the City of Long Beach Citywide Accessibility Coordinator.

Event: Meet Jennifer Kumiyama, Star of the new Disney film Wish!

L.A. Goal

L.A. Goal is a non-profit organization that partners with adults with developmental disabilities and their support networks to assist them in living more fulfilling lives. Their goal is to create more opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to thrive across all aspects of life, have meaningful relationships, and feel a sense of belonging within society. They continuously strive to understand their members' needs, how they evolve over time, and how they are affected by shifting societal dynamics and inequities. They help the public see beyond ability or disability to honor the core being of their members and themselves. Their mission is to provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to increase their independence and employability through educational, vocational, and recreational programs. L.A. Goal's art and outreach activities educate the community about the abilities of people with disabilities. Visit the L.A. Goal website to learn more about their programs, classes, events, and more. Shop the L.A. Goal Etsy store to purchase greeting cards, artwork, and more.

Event: Artist Market

The Long Beach Beauties

The Long Beach Beauties is a cheer program for differently-abled children and young adults ages eight and up. The girls are from Los Angeles and Orange counties. They have been cheering for five years and we are always looking for some BEASTS (male cheerleaders)! They have cheered at several events including: Jamz Nationals in Las Vegas, Dodgers Stadium Cheer Day, the Southern California Special Olympics (SOSC) Summer Games and Abilities Expo Los Angeles! They are very excited that the sport of cheer is being added to the Southern California Special Olympics!

Event: The Long Beach Beauties Cheer Performance

Victoria Moore

Victoria Moore Tap

Victoria Moore is a master tap instructor with over 40 years of sharing her love, knowledge, and expertise of tap dancing in dance conventions coast to coast in the United States, as well as studio, and private settings. In 2018, Victoria realized that tap dance was singularly exclusive to non-disabled dancers, leaving those with disabilities and any kind of mobility impairment out. Victoria not only created a way to turn the art of tap dancing from exclusive to inclusive; she wrote a book on the subject so that everybody, not just those who have fully functioning physiques, could learn, and enjoy tap dance.

Event: Tap Dance for All

The Rollettes Los Angeles

The Rollettes Los Angeles is a team of women who have created a community that redefines what it means to be strong, female, and resilient. With dance, community outreach, education programs and content creation they dazzle and push the boundaries that others place in the way. Their mission statement is "Women Empowering Women with Disabilities to Live Boundlessly and Shift Perspectives Through Dance".

Event: Dance with The Rollettes!

The Skate Connection

The Skate Connection is a federal non-profit 501(c)(3) 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. Founded in 2011 by Adam Grijalva, The Skate Connection is a simple, dynamic organization that has sprouted from a small crew of skateboarders to a movement that is reaching communities all across southern California and connecting the hearts of skateboarders worldwide. At The Skate Connection, we don't create skateboarders or make friendships rather we just receive new members into our community and provide an authentic skateboarding experience so they may encounter the transforming love of skateboarding.

Event: Adaptive Skateboarding

Straight Up Abilities

Straight Up Abilities provides professional performance art training to students of ALL abilities. Their classes are for everyone, and they pride themselves in creating more inclusion in our classes. Some of our students may have physical or intellectual disabilities but that does not mean that they are undeserving of a life where they can also live out their passions and dreams. Some of our students are student teachers or have a professional entertainment career. There are no limits!  Let's Create A World That Is Better For ALL!

Event: Line Dancing for All

We Adorn You

We Adorn You is the result of a long lasting friendship between veterans of the face painting industry - Elise and Lindsey. Their personal experiences with face painting in amusement parks gave them the desire to create a company where they could entertain children and adults alike wherever the party may be. They decided to offer a variety of services so they would have something for everyone! They are fortunate to have attracted a team of talented artists that will help us make your party a memorable event. They have been based out of Los Angeles and New York City since 2007.

Event: Face Painting

Mark Wellman

Adventure Athlete and Founder, No Limits

Mark Wellman is a nationally acclaimed author, filmmaker, and motivational speaker. Despite being paralyzed in a mountain climbing accident, Mark has inspired millions to meet their problems head-on and reach for their full potential. A two-time Paralympian and former Park Ranger at Yosemite National Park, Mark's "No Limits" philosophy encourages individuals to adventure into new horizons; to go beyond the seeming unreachable. Mark 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 through his company No Limits.

Event: Adaptive Climbing Wall