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.
* 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.
all BODIES dance
all BODIES dance is so excited to bring their dancers to the Expo this year. They aim to bring inclusive dance education and performance to the Valley. Classes are held at a local studio, Dynamic Motion Dance Academy, through DMG Children's Rehabilitative Services as a group Occupational Therapy service and at Ability360! Come and dance with us!
Event: all BODIES dance
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.
Social Media:
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
Lauren Hopps
Lauren Hopps is a former competitive wheelchair tennis player originally from San Diego, California. She has competed for Team USA, earned multiple national and international titles, and is a 5-time Collegiate Wheelchair Tennis National Team Champion with University of Alabama. As Program Specialist of Fitness at Ability360, Lauren works to provide individuals with the highest quality access to adapted sports and fitness, allowing them to thrive through the improvement of their overall well-being and quality of life. She is so excited to be a part of Abilities Expo this year!"
Event: Pickleball for All
King Khazm
King Khazm is an emcee, producer and community organizer who has become a prominent figure in the Hip-Hop community within Seattle and around the world. His work to engage and empower communities is demonstrated through over 25 years of music, art and community service. King Khazm has performed all around the country and world including the World's Fair & Expo (Dubai), The IBE (Netherlands), Galpao Aplauso (Brazil), Festival de la Juventud (Guatemala), and Strictly Street (Malaysia), Folklife Festival (Seattle), sharing stages with the likes of Naughty By Nature, Zion I, Aceyalone and collaborating as an emcee and producer with artists such as Abstract Rude, Afu-Ra, Def-I, Gabriel Teodros, Killah Priest, Planet Asia, Sadat X, and Sean Price. Khazm serves as a board member of paralysis support organization The Here & Now Project, a Seattle 1 Disability Commissioner, board member of King County arts funding agency 4Culture, manager of the historic venue Washington Hall and executive director of Hip Hop community organization 206 Zulu.
Social Media:
Event: Musical Performance by King Khazm
Steph "The Hammer" Roach
Steph has been involved in fitness for more than ten years, helping pave the way for adaptive athletes to be able to compete in functional fitness competitions. She has also helped shape the world's perspective of what it means to be a fitness coach living with Cerebral Palsy. Steph is sponsored by Nike and uses that opportunity and platform to make a difference for those in the adaptive community. Steph previously owned Hammer Driven Fitness from 2018 to 2020, a 5,000 square foot fitness facility in NC where she fostered a community based around everyday people and their successes. She has always understood that not everyone feels comfortable in a competitive environment and that most people are looking to pay attention to their health so they can live longer and experience all the beautiful things life has to offer. A cancer survivor as well, Steph understands the importance of living in the moment and making the most of current situations. Choosing to stay the course and stay driven was the only logical option. When one door closes a situation has the potential to turn into an opportunity and that's how Steph's online fitness business - Staying Driven - was able to breathe life. Steph saw a need for a greater community regardless of location so, Staying Driven answered that call in 2020 - creating the opportunity for people to pursue fitness from anywhere via online fitness classes. Steph is also the author of the book Driven: How Adversity Helped Me Find My Greatest Potential.
Social Media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephTheHammer
- X: https://twitter.com/StephTheHammer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayingdrivenfitness/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephthehammer
Event: Staying Driven- Adaptive Fitness
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".
Social Media
Event: Dance with The Rollettes and Special Rollettes Dance Performance
The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. Our goal is to promote physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social recovery. The Association focuses on peer and family support, education of consumers, families, caregivers, and professionals, and linking people to vocational, social, and recreational resources.
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Event: Wheelchair Maintenence and Upkeep
Kaitlyn Verfuerth
Kaitlyn Verfuerth is a renowned athlete and advocate for inclusion in outdoors spaces. As a 4-time Paralympian in tennis and ParaCanoe, Kaitlyn has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the world of adaptive sports. Kaitlyn is a 3x Paralympian in wheelchair tennis, ranking in the top 8 in the world. She has earned 2 gold medals, a silver, and a bronze throughout her impressive career. As a tennis professional certified by both USPTA and USPTR, Kaitlyn is dedicated to sharing her expertise and passion for the sport with others.
In 2020, Kaitlyn initiated the wheelchair tennis program at Ability360, which has now grown to include over 50 players in the valley. Currently serving as the manager of 360outdoors as a recreation therapist, Kaitlyn is committed to utilizing the power of the outdoors to empower individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve greater independence and lead healthy, active lifestyles.
Event: Pickleball for All
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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