Abilities Expo, the Nation's Largest Event for People With Disabilities and Their Caregivers, is Coming to Los Angeles March 30 - April 1

LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, wounded veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, March 30, through Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

Abilities Expo has put together an impressive line-up of exhibits, workshops, celebrities, events and activities to appeal to people of all ages with the full spectrum of disabilities—including physical, learning, development and sensory disabilities. In addition, there will be free hearing screenings onsite (limited appointments available). Complimentary loaner scooters and wheelchair repair will also be available onsite during show hours.

"It is our privilege to provide this forum for the Community of people with disabilities in Southern California to come together and gain access to life-enhancing technologies, education and resources," said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. "Between the adaptive events, the interactive assistive technology pavilion, the dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display ... this is a must-attend for everyone in the Community."

The Latest Products and Services

Attendees will experience cutting-edge products and services for people with a wide range of disabilities. They will find mobility products, devices for people with developmental disabilities, medical equipment, home accessories, essential services, low-cost daily living aids, products for people with sensory impairments and much more. The Assistive Technology Pavilion, anchored by the Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) AT Showcase, will feature the latest AT products for people of all abilities. The showcase will not only feature an array of breakthrough assistive technologies, it will allow Expo visitors to experience them hands-on.

Relevant Workshops

A series of compelling workshops which address pressing disability issues will be offered free-of-charge to all attendees. Sessions will focus on travel, apps for iDevices, building pediatric mobility, adaptive vegetable garden, social interactions, finding the correct mobility device and that is just for starters.

Adaptive Sports, Dancing and More!

Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. Attendees can learn some hip-hop and ballroom wheelchair dancing moves, test their skill on flight simulators and play a host of different adaptive sports. For the kids, there will be adaptive pinball, face painting, Norky the Peneagle and Patches the Balloon-making Clown. To round it out, there will be the coronation of the 2012 Ms. Wheelchair California and an Artist Market showcasing the works of local artists with disabilities.

Meet the Animals

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. Expo-goers will enjoy assistance dog demos, meet wolves and parrots that help veterans reintegrate into society and see first-hand how horses connect to kids with Autism.

Celebrity Encounters

Dr. David Kipper, medical expert, radio celebrity and doctor-to-the-stars, will answer your health-related questions in the Q&A workshop Ask The Doctor on Saturday, March 31.

Attendees will meet the stars of Push Girls, a new docu-series which traces the lives of four dynamic women who happen to be in wheelchairs. Push Girls is the latest venture from the producers of Little People, Big World.

Angela Ruzicka, author of the popular Wendy on Wheels series, will feature her latest book, Wendy on Wheels Takes a Stand, at the Expo on March 31. She will read to participants in the Kid's Workshop and engage her young audience in a discussion of a very relevant issue—bullying.

Angela Madsen, Paralympian and World Record Holder for Rowing, will show off her ocean rowing boat, RowofLife, and introduce attendees to the exciting sport of adaptive rowing.

Give Back to the Community

Abilities Expo participants can bring their old cell phones, iPhones, iPods or iPads to donate to the Gift a Voice Project, a program that refurbishes or recycles this equipment so that they can be used by people with communication disabilities.

For more information, visit www.abilitiesexpo.com/losangeles.  

SOURCE Abilities Expo