Add some exciting new activities to your life? Abilities Expo showcases a wide range of events that not only entertain, they also give you the opportunity to try new things, expand your interests and discover ways to be more involved in the local Chicago area.
- Try a variety of adaptive sports
- Transform your face at the face painters
- Learn how to work with assistance dogs
- Break out your dancing wheels
- Find out how horses can help people with disabilities
There’s a lot going on at Abilities Expo! Be sure to also check out the Free Workshops
* Please note dates and times of events are subject to change without notice. Please check the schedule at the show for final times and events. Abilities Expo is not responsible for the materials or opinions of the speakers.
All Day, Every Day
Adaptive Art Activity
Presented by Zot Artz
Art for All Children of all abilities get to stamp and print to make their mark. Use adaptive art tools and shapes to create your very own exciting art creation! Parents will love the fun and creativity plus this activity also helps develop motor skills, concentration, social interaction, self esteem and more! See photos and learn more at www.zotartz.com. Each child receives their own print to take home. Plan 5-20 minutes for activity. One print per child. While supplies last. Suggested donation of $5.00 per child to cover supply costs. For attendees under the age of 18.
Adaptive Rowing Demonstrations
Presented by Concept2 CTS Rowing
Discover the world of adaptive rowing! This sport is accessible to people with many different types of disabilities. And you don't need water to row - Indoor Rowing machines make the sport possible no matter where you live. Learn about the many benefits of rowing, including exercise and fitness, improved self-esteem, goal setting, and a sense of accomplishment and community. Try an Indoor Rower for yourself and learn more about rowing in the Chicago area. Learn more about this sport at: www.concept2.com/us/communities/adaptive.
Friday, June 28, 2013
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Meet and Greet with Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy"
Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy" and founder of Horse Boy Method will be available to talk with individual attendees. Horse Boy World items will be available for purchase, including the book "The Horse Boy," the movie The Horse Boy, DVD's about Horse Boy Method, t-shirts and more.
* Don't miss Rupert's demos of Horse Boy Method on Saturday, June 29, 3:45pm – 4:30pm and Sunday, June 30, 2:45pm – 3:30pm.
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wheelchair Basketball
Presented by the Chicago Bulls Wheelchair Basketball Team
Sponsored by Elpis Factor
In the early days of the sport wheelchair basketball was only played by men with spinal cord injuries. Today it's changed significantly with both men and women and a variety of disabilities, competing in the sport. Many of the same rules from able-bodied basketball apply in the wheelchair game. The plays and strategies are similar. In addition there are special rules in place to adapt to disability. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) governs all aspects of the game in the United States.
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Team Hotwheelz – Dance Demo and Workshop
Presented by Walk and Roll Foundation
See a performance by the new dance group Team Hotwheelz - made up of seven young women who use wheelchairs and share a passion for dance. The Team is excited to share their brand new hip-hop dance routines with Abilities Expo attendees. Following the performance it's your turn! Everyone will have a chance to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves. Follow the Team and learn more about them at www.walkandrollfoundation.org.
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Assistance Dogs Demonstration
Presented by Barking Angels Service Dog Foundation
More than ever assistance dogs are meeting the needs of people with different disabilities. Meet several assistance dogs and their human partners. Watch them demonstrate the many ways they work together to achieve independence in various areas of their lives. Following the demo, join us to learn some of the basic commands for the dogs. Learn more at www.barkingangelsservicedogfoundation.org.
3:45pm - 4:30pm
Making Minds Handicap Accessible!
Presented by Mike Berkson and Tim Wambach stars of the hit stage show "Handicap This!"
"Handicap This!" is a live show with a message of possibilities. Local Chicago stars Mike Berkson and Tim Wambach bring Abilities Expo attendees their true-life adventure filled with humor and honesty. Their story is a powerful look at friendship, breaking down barriers, living with disabilities; and most of all, about living to your potential. Join them for 30 minutes of laughter and empowerment! Time for questions and answers follows. Learn more about their show and their speaking at www.handicapthis.com.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Face Painting
Kids will delight at the opportunity to transform their face into a beautiful butterfly, a swashbuckling pirate, or a sweet kitten! Stop by the face painter’s stand for a complimentary face painting. Select designs only. Paints are FDA approved professional face paints and wash off with water. Just for kids age 18 and under.
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Recycled Art Activity - Mock Stain Glass
Presented by Samantha Feigenbaum, Independent Art Instructor
Exercise your creative muscle with this fun and accessible art activity! Learn about Recycled Art and create a Mock Stain Glass project by reusing objects and decorative materials. Attendees ages 4 to 104 are welcome. The activity is customized to suit a wide variety of cognitive and fine motor abilities. Plastic, paper and permanent markers (Sharpies) will be used. The presenter has a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from The American University in Washington DC with a minor in Special Education. She has been an independent art instructor in the Chicago region for the past 12 years and works with people of all types of abilities. Plan approximately 15 minutes for the project. One project per person while supplies last. Suggested donation of $5.00 per person to cover supply costs.
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Meet and Greet with Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy"
Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy" and founder of Horse Boy Method will be available to talk with individual attendees. Horse Boy World items will be available for purchase, including the book "The Horse Boy," the movie The Horse Boy, DVD's about Horse Boy Method, t-shirts and more.
* Don't miss Rupert's demos of Horse Boy Method on Saturday, June 29, 3:45pm – 4:30pm and Sunday, June 30, 2:45pm – 3:30pm.
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wheelchair Basketball
Presented by the Chicago Bulls Wheelchair Basketball Team
Sponsored by Elpis Factor
In the early days of the sport wheelchair basketball was only played by men with spinal cord injuries. Today it's changed significantly with both men and women and a variety of disabilities, competing in the sport. Many of the same rules from able-bodied basketball apply in the wheelchair game. The plays and strategies are similar. In addition there are special rules in place to adapt to disability. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) governs all aspects of the game in the United States.
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Team Hotwheelz – Dance Demo and Workshop
Presented by Walk and Roll Foundation
See a performance by the new dance group Team Hotwheelz - made up of seven young women who use wheelchairs and share a passion for dance. The Team is excited to share their brand new hip-hop dance routines with Abilities Expo attendees. Following the performance it's your turn! Everyone will have a chance to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves. Follow the Team and learn more about them at www.walkandrollfoundation.org.
2:45pm - 3:30pm
Power Soccer Skills Demo
U.S. Power Soccer Association
Watch and learn as US Power Soccer Association Team USA members demonstrate how they train players in the techniques of power wheelchair soccer. Discover this very active and growing sport that is open to power wheelchair users of all ages. See how players combine their skills as wheelchair users with the speed and power of the chair itself, to participate in this extremely challenging game similar to soccer. Then try the sport out for yourself and learn where you can get involved in the Los Angeles area. Learn more about power soccer at www.powersoccerusa.net.
3:45pm – 4:30pm
Horse Boy Method Demonstration
Presented by Rupert Isaacson and Iliane Lorenz, Co-Founders, Horse Boy World
Over the past 7 years Rupert Isaacson, father of Rowan Isaacson (the Horse Boy), has found a number of techniques with and without horses that can bring about better verbal communication from autistic children. While no method will be right for 100% of people, Horse Boy World has found that a high percentage of children on the spectrum benefit in significant ways from what is now known as Horse Boy Method. At this demonstration, Rupert will share with you how Horse Boy Method was developed and the components of this simple 6-stage process. See portions of the method demonstration and learn how they can be beneficial to people on the Autism spectrum. Learn what is currently understood about why the Method is effective, as well as how you can incorporate these concepts even if you don’t have horses or live in the country. Since 2009 Horse Boy World staff have trained people internationally and providing services to families with children on the spectrum. No experience with horses is needed to learn and benefit from this method. Discover more at www.horseboyworld.com including dates for upcoming trainings, updates from the Horse Boy World center in Texas and merchandise that is available for purchase.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Meet and Greet with Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy"
Rupert Isaacson, author of "The Horse Boy" and founder of Horse Boy Method will be available to talk with individual attendees. Horse Boy World items will be available for purchase, including the book "The Horse Boy," the movie The Horse Boy, DVD's about Horse Boy Method, t-shirts and more.
* Don't miss Rupert's demos of Horse Boy Method on Saturday, June 29, 3:45pm – 4:30pm and Sunday, June 30, 2:45pm – 3:30pm.
12:00pm - 12:45pm
Wheelchair Tennis
Sponsored by Elpis Factor
Local Chicago area players will be on hand to demonstrate wheelchair tennis and teach attendees who would like to learn more. Wheelchair Tennis is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world! It follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis, except the wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball. Adaptive sports like wheelchair tennis offer people with all types of disabilities an outlet to play sports competitively and in recreational programs.
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Face Painting
Kids will delight at the opportunity to transform their face into a beautiful butterfly, a swashbuckling pirate, or a sweet kitten! Stop by the face painter’s stand for a complimentary face painting. Select designs only. Paints are FDA approved professional face paints and wash off with water. Just for kids age 18 and under.
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Recycled Art Activity - Mock Stain Glass
Presented by Samantha Feigenbaum, Independent Art Instructor
Exercise your creative muscle with this fun and accessible art activity! Learn about Recycled Art and create a Mock Stain Glass project by reusing objects and decorative materials. Attendees ages 4 to 104 are welcome. The activity is customized to suit a wide variety of cognitive and fine motor abilities. Plastic, paper and permanent markers (Sharpies) will be used. The presenter has a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from The American University in Washington DC with a minor in Special Education. She has been an independent art instructor in the Chicago region for the past 14 years and works with people of all types of abilities. Plan approximately 15 minutes for the project. One project per person while supplies last. Suggested donation of $5.00 per person to cover supply costs.
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Team Hotwheelz – Dance Demo and Workshop
Presented by Walk and Roll Foundation
See a performance by the new dance group Team Hotwheelz - made up of seven young women who use wheelchairs and share a passion for dance. The Team is excited to share their brand new hip-hop dance routines with Abilities Expo attendees. Following the performance it's your turn! Everyone will have a chance to get out on the dance floor and learn some moves. Follow the Team and learn more about them at www.walkandrollfoundation.org.
2:00pm – 2:30pm
Assistance Dogs Demonstration
Presented by Barking Angels Service Dog Foundation
More than ever assistance dogs are meeting the needs of people with different disabilities. Meet several assistance dogs and their human partners. Watch them demonstrate the many ways they work together to achieve independence in various areas of their lives. Following the demo, join us to learn some of the basic commands for the dogs. Learn more at www.barkingangelsservicedogfoundation.org.
2:45pm – 3:30pm
Horse Boy Method Demonstration
Presented by Rupert Isaacson and Iliane Lorenz, Co-Founders, Horse Boy World
Over the past 7 years Rupert Isaacson, father of Rowan Isaacson (the Horse Boy), has found a number of techniques with and without horses that can bring about better verbal communication from autistic children. While no method will be right for 100% of people, Horse Boy World has found that a high percentage of children on the spectrum benefit in significant ways from what is now known as Horse Boy Method. At this demonstration, Rupert will share with you how Horse Boy Method was developed and the components of this simple 6-stage process. See portions of the method demonstration and learn how they can be beneficial to people on the Autism spectrum. Learn what is currently understood about why the Method is effective, as well as how you can incorporate these concepts even if you don’t have horses or live in the country. Since 2009 Horse Boy World staff have trained people internationally and providing services to families with children on the spectrum. No experience with horses is needed to learn and benefit from this method. Discover more at www.horseboyworld.com including dates for upcoming trainings, updates from the Horse Boy World center in Texas and merchandise that is available for purchase.
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