SoCal 2009
Abilities Expo SoCal drew huge crowds on May 29-31, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center. More than 5,400 people with disabilities, family members, caregivers and healthcare/special needs professionals were informed and entertained at this very special event.

The expo hall was filled with cutting edge products and services—everything from accessible SUVs to wheelchair-friendly pinball machines. A series of show-stopping attractions enthralled onlookers, especially the gravity-defying Wheelchair BackFlip performed by Guinness Book of World Record Holder Aaron “Wheez” Fotheringham, the hip hop moves of the Colours in Motion Dance Team and Choe Magazine’s Dare to Change the World Fashion Showcase.

Sports aficionados were captivated by the array of wheelchair sports demonstrations including basketball, lacrosse, fencing, tennis and soccer. Dozens of attendees also took the opportunity to test their own athletic prowess at these games.

Exhibitors and attendees alike were extremely positive about SoCal Abilities Expo and everyone is looking forward to a repeat performance in a new location—the Los Angeles Convention Center—on April 9-11, 2010.

For more info on SoCal 2009, click on the following archived pages:

• Special Events
• Visitor workshop descriptions
• Healthcare session descriptions
• Speaker bios
• Exhibitor List
• Ambassadors
• Media Room

SoCal 2009
Check out what attendees had to say…
“Everyone there was so amazing, so nice and so welcoming.”

Desiree Trujillo
Mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy

SoCal 2009
A word from the exhibitors...
“The new management team did a great job, the show was well advertised and the crowds on the show floor were so good that you needed traffic lights.”

Bonnie Christy
American Express Travel 

“[I was] very surprised with the turnout, all weekend long. It was phenomenal. Obviously the advertising is reaching far more [people] than the previous [owners].

Joe Hallock
SleepSafe Beds

SoCal 2009
A child’s wish to walk granted at Abilties Expo
The most touching moment of the show came as it was winding down on Sunday. Alexzander Prado, a five-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy, walked hands-free for the very first time with the help of the life-changing KidWalk from Prime Engineering. There was not a dry eye in the crowd of attendees who witnessed this miracle and cheered the child on. The owners of a SleepSafe Beds, a neighboring exhibitor, were so moved that they bought little Alexzander the marvelous device that completely opened up his world. Click here for the full story.

SoCal 2009
iPod Touch Winners

Thanks to everyone who completed the post-show online survey and entered to win the iPod Touch! We will put your answers to good use in improving future Abilities Expos.
Congratulations to the following winners of the drawing:

• Dwayne Chen
• Heather Dingess

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!