Join us next year on April 15-17, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center!

Los Angeles Abilities Expo Exceeds Expectations…Again

Abilities Expo kicked off the 2010 series of events with a slam dunk in Los Angeles. Coming off an extremely successful 2009 show in Anaheim, the Expo on April 9-11, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center has staked its claim as the latest tough act to follow.

By the end of the day on Sunday, 5,423 adults—a 17.5% increase over the 2009 attendance—had crossed the threshold to see latest products and services for people with disabilities, learn from dynamic workshops and engage in fun events and activities. An estimated 25% more of children also made a showing, bring the grand total to nearly 6,800 people.

“Responses across the board have been overwhelmingly positive,” said President and CEO David Korse. “We were thrilled to see so many old friends and new faces come to take advantage of all that Abilities Expo has to offer the community of people with disabilities.”

“I had an awesome time,” said Expo attendee Rod Smith. “I loved it. It’s the most fun I’ve had since my accident.”

For more information about the Los Angeles Abilities Expo, click on the following links:

• Events & Activities
• Workshops
• Speaker bios
• Exhibitor List
• Press Room

Products & Services
Featured products included everything from cutting-edge wheelchair designs to adaptive clothing to a musical instrument that is played by strumming beams of light. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Exhibiting companies enjoyed a tremendous response from attendees. “We redesigned our Assured Comfort line over the winter and reintroduced it at [the Los Angeles Abilities Expo]. It was a major success and resulted in upwards of 50 sales,” Joe Hallock, CEO of SleepSafe Beds, recounted.

Assistive Technology Pavilion
The Assistive Technology Pavilion, complete with an Interactive Demo Lab sponsored by the Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK), was also a huge hit. Expo goers of all ages took advantage of this unique, interactive computer experience. It was IT with a little help from AT, and visitors had the opportunity to test drive adaptive computer equipment, software, toys, communication tools, blind/low vision equipment and much more.

"Our experience with sponsoring the AT Pavilion [Interactive Demo Lab] has been wonderful,” said Laura Simmons-Martinez, Technology Project Director for TASK. “It was great seeing so many people interested in AT. It’s not everyday that we get to see so many parents and their kiddos interact for the first time with the different toys and low tech items. By Sunday evening, despite being exhausted, we all agreed that the entire weekend was a fantastic success!"

Workshops
Attendees were also riveted by a series of informative workshops held right on the show floor. Sessions featured a panel of experts who fielded questions on a wide variety of important issues, tips on how to make your house a Home, Sweet Accessible Home, advice on intimacy and other compelling topics.

Events & Activities
The positive energy that was evident on the show floor turned into raw excitement for the fun, interactive and, at times, awe-inspiring events and activities. Crowds held there breath each day as Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, the Guinness Book of World Record holder for the wheelchair back flip, plunged down a ramp and performed gravity-defying stunts on his wheelchair. Each time a bell sounded, visitors looked to see a fellow attendee of different abilities triumph as they reached the top of a 25-foot rock climbing wall with the help of adaptive climbing equipment. Onlookers shared in the emotion as the 2010 Ms. Wheelchair California was crowned. The Super X Fun course challenged all persons with disabilities to pit their navigation skills against the twists, turns and ramps of this wheelchair obstacle course.

Watch the Abilities Expo Experience from the "Man on the Street"