Free Workshops
Plan your Abilities Expo experience today

Take advantage of Free Workshops that focus on everything from tips for traveling with a disability and home modifications to the steps to getting the best accessible vehicle. Learn about the many new ways to exercise with a disability and improve your health and find out how standing is benefitting people with spinal cord injuries.

Workshops are FREE and there’s no need to register. Just arrive early to get your seat!
Check out our FREE Events for more information and activities.

Professionals:

Certificates of participation are available for all workshops. Please see the Information Desk following each workshop for your certificate.

* Please note dates and times of workshops are subject to change without notice.
Abilities Expo is not responsible for the materials or opinions of the speakers.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Cancelled: Pediatric Power Mobility
Presented by Michelle L. Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
CEUs: 4 contact hours or .4 CEUs

Please note, the Pediatric Power Mobility session is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. 

11:45am – 12:45pm
How to Select the Right Accessible Vehicle for You
Presented by Troy Schultz, BraunAbility
Are you feeling challenged by the process of purchasing adaptive equipment for a vehicle? Consumers and related healthcare professionals alike are invited to join us to learn the tips to successfully navigating the purchase of vans and accessible modifications. This workshop will cover such topics as what solutions are available and where to find them, key terminology, the shopping and evaluation process, funding options and much more. Following the session attendees are invited for a hands-on van demo at BraunAbility's Booth #201.

11:45am – 12:45pm
Finding and Using Free Apps for iPad and iPhone
Presented by Curtis Edmonds, Program Manager, Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) at Disability Rights New Jersey
There are more free, useful applications for the iPad and the iPhone now than ever before.  Your Apple device is capable of being your go-to piece of assistive technology, not only because the system is so versatile, but because there are so many free resources. This presentation showcases some of the best AT apps available, and provides resources for finding new apps as they come out. Learn how the basic features in iOS (the operating system for Apple devices) can be used as assistive technology. Discover how to find the free app that is right for you.

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Accessible Homes: Design Lessons from the Field
Presented by Deborah Pierce, AIA, CAPS, Author of The Accessible Home
New and remodeled houses are the testing laboratories for innovative ideas, and homeowners with a variety of disabilities are setting the bar high for residential accessibility. Deborah Pierce's new book The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities showcases 35 homes, representing a variety of architectural styles and homeowner conditions to provide a clear picture of the state of the art in residential design. Learn how the most successful accessible homes go beyond barrier removal to create opportunities for comfort, safety, functionality, and happiness throughout the home. They demand resourcefulness, resilience, and perseverance from all members of an expanded design team. The result is a new vision of the home as a unique blend of spatial relationships and installations. Architect Deborah Pierce will present images from her new book and describe the ground-breaking work of thoughtful participants in this exciting new field.

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Travel the World! Tips for People with Disabilities or Who Are Aging
Presented by Debra Kerper, Easy Access Travel
Would you like to travel the country or the world, but believe you cannot because of your disability? At this workshop you will learn that travel by air, sea and car is a real option for you. The presenter, a professional travel agent who has a disability and has travelled extensively, will share with you how to plan a trip, including what to expect form hotels, rental car companies, cruise lines and the airlines. Learn about the common challenges, methods for addressing them and what the law requires. Attendees will receive recommendations for disability-friendly destinations and accessible travel resources. Be sure to bring your pressing questions and a list of places you'd like to visit. Learn more at www.easyaccesstravel.com.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Improving Your Wellness to Live Your Best Life
Presented by Laura O’Reilly, RN, Assistant Vice President of Health & Wellness, Easter Seals New Jersey
Everyone wants to live their best life possible, and making changes to improve your wellness can help you achieve this goal. At this exciting workshop you will learn that living a healthy lifestyle is within your reach. The presenter will talk about the key areas of nutrition, physical activity and stress management and discuss how changes in each will improve your health and quality of life. You’ll understand how to break down the barriers to a healthy lifestyle and find out where to go for the information, skills and resources you need to achieve a healthier tomorrow.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Push for More! Getting the Wheelchair that Works for You
Presented by Ann Eubank, LMSW, OTR/L, ATP, VP of Community Initiatives, UsersFirst, a program of United Spinal Association
Finding the right wheelchair can be frustrating as there is often conflicting information at every turn. This interactive seminar will offer strategies and resources to help navigate this process.  Subjects including: finding the most appropriate doctor, how to work with your local equipment supplier, what to do if you are denied the equipment you want, locating resources specific to your needs and consumer rights will be discussed. The seminar will include video and on-line access to resource sites. Learn more at www.usersfirst.org.

3:45pm - 4:45pm
Protecting Assets while Maximizing Benefits – Life Planning from the Cradle to the Grave
Presented by Michele A. Leahy, MS, CWIC, Disability Life Planner
No matter if you are 3 or 30 navigating “the system” can be a daunting task for folks with disabilities or their parents. Whether its’ understanding state waiver system or the difference between SSI/SSDI or Medicare and Medicaid. Coordinating “the system” is a challenge when you are obtaining or maintaining employment. Many must learn the difference between Power of Attorney and Guardianship. How do you grow your assets and protect your resources for the future. Contrary to popular belief the system can work. Come join me to learn how to access state and federal government benefits while saving for your future 50 years from now. Learn how to achieve your highest quality of life – To LIVE not survive!

3:45pm - 4:45pm
Are You Ready? Apps for Emergency Preparedness
Presented by Jamie Arasz Prioli, ATP, Institute on Disabilities, Pennsylvania’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Description: Each year thousands of people are affected by emergencies and disasters, anywhere from fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, natural disasters as well as man-made. Recent natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Irene and Sandy (2011 and 2012) demonstrate to us how accessible apps can play a key role in emergency preparedness and examine the features of existing apps related to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. This session will review apps that are currently available for iOS and Android that are either specifically related to emergency management and preparedness or that could be deployed in emergency situations.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

11:45am – 12:45pm
Young, Hip and Disabled: College, Work and More
Presented by Stevie Hopkins, Co-Founder/Annie's Brother, Director of Awesome, 3E Love 
Now that you've finished high school, you're ready to venture out on your own. There's a lot of excitement about these changes but also a lot of challenges too. Hiring and firing PA's, living on your own, dating and relationships, and getting a job. Stevie Hopkins, co-founder of 3E Love, will share his thoughts on making the jump to life after school. Stevie is a a serial entrepreneur. After many ventures he found his life's work in 3E Love, his sister Annie's dream. Calling on his experiences in the financial industry, music business, and web startups, Stevie was able to turned the dream into a reality. The experiences he has had traveling thousands of miles, meeting people all over the country and speaking to groups telling his story, has changed his life forever. Learn more at www.3elove.com.

11:45am – 12:45pm
Managing Your Money, Budgeting and Savings Strategies
Presented by Wanda Saez, Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank
Learn concrete steps you can take to help you develop a financial plan. Discover tools and tips you can use for money management. Learn about Wells Fargo’s financial education program Hands on Banking®. Wells Fargo has developed a broad-based, free financial education program and curriculum that can be tailored to audiences from 4th graders to adults. The Hands on Banking program consists of fun, accessible, self-paced online courses and other valuable resources. Participants of this workshop will learn how they can use Hands on Banking to gain basic financial and money management skills. The Hands on Banking program provides the essentials of financial education, real-world skills, and knowledge everyone can use, including a broad range of information-from depositing a check to buying a home.

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Planning Accessible Travel
Presented by Nicholas LiBassi, Director of Special Projects for National Spinal Cord Injury Association, a program of United Spinal Association
Does the perceived challenge of planning accessible travel keep you from going places? It may not be easy, but it does not need to be that hard. ABLE to Travel, an agency that specializes in the types of issues a person with a disability may encounter, is here to help make your trip accessible from start to finish and alleviate the headache for you!  In this workshop the presenter will discuss the Air Carrier Access, the 2010 ADA Standards that have mandated increased accessibility to hotels and other travel destinations, tips for travelers, maneuvering through airport security and the mandates from TSA, and cruises (one of the most accessible ways to travel). Learn more at www.abletotravel.org.

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Thriving, Not Just Surviving, as the Parent of a Special Needs Child
Presented by Karen Kain, Founder, Lorrin's World and Abilities Expo Ambassador
Karen Kain, mother of Lorrin who was grievously vaccine injured in 1994, shares her story of how she went from being a broken-hearted, desperate mother who was isolated and alone to accepting, enjoying and even thriving as the parent of a unique child. Karen will tell the process that led her to a loving and fulfilling parenting experience, as she learned life lessons from Lorrin. Karen will describe how she found success in getting from despair to discovery to love of self. She brings you tips she learned from others along the way – parents, health-care workers, and more – along with discoveries of her own. If you are new to this journey, join Karen for this workshop to gain support and ideas for thriving in your new life. Learn more about Karen at www.lorrinsworld.com.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Intensive Pediatric PT—The Benefits for Your Child’s Body, Mind & Spirit
Presented by Melissa McGinnis, PT, MPT, Senior Pediatric Intensive PT, Euro-Pēds National Center for Intensive Pediatric PT
Research continues to point to the benefits of physical activity for children who have gross motor disorders caused from cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, and other non-progressive neuromuscular disorders. While the primary goal of Intensive therapy is to teach new and lasting functional physical skills to children within this population, there are other benefits that are equally important to the child’s well being. As Intensive Pediatric PT has evolved we are recognizing additional benefits such as improved self-esteem and confidence as the body gets stronger. This presentation will provide definitions for European-inspired Intensive Pediatric PT, the benefits of this emerging therapy, explanations of the European-inspired concepts and tools used during an intensive PT session, and benefits beyond physical that are based on increased activity levels. The speaker, who is an expert in this emerging field of Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy, will review the research and theories highlighting the need for Intensive Pediatric PT and provide compelling video samples of how this model of therapy is creating better outcomes for children at several levels. More information available at www.europeds.org.

2:30pm - 3:30pm
How Horses Benefit People with Disabilities
Presented by Christina Baxter, Program/Volunteer Coordinator, Riding With Heart
There are a many ways that horses can be used in therapeutic and recreational environments to support people with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities. Join us for an overview of the types of equine assisted activities nd therapies that are available, including traditional Adaptive Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Hippotherapy, horsemanship for all, and Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy and summer camps for children of ALL abilities. Learn how to identify which therapy may be appropriate to your specific needs as well as how to located a program. Common questions will also be addressed such as safety, certification, and the many benefits of interacting with horses. Learn more at www.ridingwithheart.org.

3:45pm – 4:45pm
Increasing Your Independence with Canine Companions
Presented by Jessica Reiss, MSW, Northeast Regional Applicant Coordinator, Canine Companions for Independence
Learn about the role an assistance dog can play in increasing your independence. Discover how to know if you are eligible for a dog. Attendees will learn about the application process for obtaining a dog from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), including the eligibility requirements. Graduates of CCI will be on hand to speak about their experience and how having a CCI dog has provided them greater independence. Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a national nonprofit organization that breeds, trains and places assistance dogs with children and adults with disabilities. CCI is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and ongoing follow-up services. Learn more at www.cci.org.

3:45pm - 4:45pm
Digital Storytelling Basics: Tell a Story with Your iPhone or Other Device
Presented by Narcel Reedus, Filmmaker 
This workshop is an entry-level video production class designed for people with little or no video experience but with a burning desire to learn how to tell and share their own story.
This interactive workshop will demonstrate how to use reasonably priced HD cameras, set up inexpensive lights, and get quality audio on a small budget. Attendees will also learn tips for how to edit video, add music and text, and upload their finished videos to the Web. The presenter is a media instructor and award-winning filmmaker. He is the writer and director of "Not Home: A documentary about kids living in nursing facilities."