East coasters, or anyone within striking distance, gear up for Abilities Expo New York Metro! From May 5-7, 2017, the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center will transform into a playground and informational hub for the disabled and their caregivers. The three-day event is jam-packed with cutting edge technology exhibits, participatory adaptive sports demos, practical information workshops, and presentations on tips and tricks for overall well-being.
While notorious for being fun and fact-filled, the Abilities Expo is also welcoming some Hollywood glitz — via New Jersey — this time around. ABC’s Speechless star and New Jersey native, Micah Fowler, is hosting a Q&A to talk about his role on the show as well as living with cerebral palsy. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the sitcom, you still have time to binge-watch the first 20 episodes before meeting its claim to fame in person. You can even ask the 19-year-old for some hockey tips; when he’s not acting in Los Angeles, he plays for the Woodbridge Warriors sled hockey team back in his home state. Check out the Events and Features page for the exact date and time of the meet and greet.
If you’re on the prowl for a new hobby or sport, Abilities Expo has some ideas for you. Head over to the New York Warriors’ quad rugby demo, participate in Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along, shoot some hoops, or dance the day away! If extreme is your middle name, don’t miss motocross athlete Jerry Diaz defying gravity and stereotypes as he performs flips and tricks in his wheelchair. If manga and anime are more your style, put on your costume and show it off in the cosplay competition.
While there is plenty of fun to be had at Abilities Expo, you won’t want to miss out on the wide assortment of learning opportunities. An array of workshops will provide you with all the tools necessary to fulfill your daily needs and desires. Some of the topics to be covered include:
After a couple of days full of work and play, make sure to take advantage of a free acupressure session to soothe those sore muscles and reboot your energy reserves. Then, head over to the Meet Up Zone to shoot the breeze with fellow attendees and show off the selfie you took with Micah Fowler.
Abilities Expo provides the tools necessary to improve your life on every level, and it’s completely free! With opportunities to increase your knowledge, socialize, network, and participate in sports, leisure and well-being activities, attendees are sure to leave feeling exhilarated and ready to take on the challenges of living with a disability with a newfound energy.
If you can’t make it to the New York Metro Abilities Expo, pencil in one of the upcoming dates in another city:
2017
2018
For more information, or to pre-register, visit the Abilities Expo website.
