A total of 1,741 adults from the community of people with disabilities, family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals gathered at the Cobb Galleria Convention Center on November 6-8, 2009 to learn, network and be empowered. With an estimated 300 additional visitors under the age of 18 that were not required to register, the total attendance exceeded 2,000.

Attendees were treated to thousands of life-enhancing products and services, dynamic workshops and CEU seminars, adaptive sports competitions, dance performances, fashion shows and much more.
 
Crowds were especially thrilled by the sneak peek into the future of AT at the Assistive Technology Pavilion. Thanks to the inspiring work by Georgia Tech and the Shepherd Center, technological breakthroughs—such as the tongue drive system for wheelchairs and mouse-driven computers, implanted electrode technology, cushion pressure mapping, auditory menus, Deaf911, robotics technology and more—dazzled onlookers.

And for a bit of culture, attendees were treated to an eclectic mix of artistic creations at the Artist Market. The exquisite works of Georgia’s most touted artists with disabilities were on display and demonstrated live.

“After more than a decade, we are thrilled to bring Abilities Expo back to the people of Atlanta,” said David Korse, the new president and CEO of Abilities Expo. “The positive feedback that we have received has been so overwhelming that we are even more committed to bringing an even better Expo back to Atlanta in 2010.”

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

• Special Events
• Visitor workshop descriptions
• Healthcare session descriptions
• Speaker bios
• Assistive Technology, Retail and Artist Market Pavilions
• Exhibitor List
• Press Room