Abilities Expo, the Nation's Largest Event for People with Disabilities and their Caregivers, Is Coming to San Jose on November 18-20

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, wounded veterans and healthcare professionals will attend Abilities Expo on Friday, November 18, through Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the San Jose Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours are Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 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. 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 the Bay Area 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 dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display…this is a must-attend event 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, assistive technology, medical equipment, home accessories, essential services, low-cost daily living aids, products for people with sensory impairments and much more.

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, home modifications, navigating health reform, employment, dating, tips for caregivers, mobility solutions, cutting-edge treatments for children with motor disorders and that is just for starters.

Adaptive Sports, Dancing and More!

Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and entertains. Attendees of all abilities can learn some hip-hop wheelchair dancing moves, enjoy canine assistance demos, watch performing arts and play adaptive sports. Children will also have the opportunity to transform into their favorite animals or characters with free face painting.

Celebrity Encounters

Famed actor, television icon and best-selling author Henry Winkler will share his personal story about his mother's struggle with upper limb spasticity in a compelling workshop entitled Understanding Upper Limb Spasticity on November 18.

Rupert Isaacson—one of the stars of The Horse Boy, a critically acclaimed film about a family's worldwide quest to help their autistic child—will demonstrate how to connect with children with autism and neuro-psychiatric conditions using an innovative new horse therapy. (Actual horses on site!)

Disability Film Festival

After receiving critical acclaim around the globe, several award-winning selections from the recent SuperFest International Disability Film Festival will be shown on November 20 at Abilities Expo.

Workforce Development Summit 2011

Presented by the Bay Area Coalition for Employment Development, this conference is designed to increase the hiring of people with barriers to employment by sharing resources and effective practices among workforce development professionals. Advanced registration is required.

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/sanjose.

SOURCE Abilities Expo