If you haven’t been to an Abilities Expo, get one on your schedule! The free, three-day events in cities spanning the country offer a look at thousands of products and services, workshops on everything from dating with a disability to purchasing the perfect adaptive equipment, and world-class entertainment with a disability theme.

People with a wide range of disabilities, their caregivers, family members and healthcare professionals can watch adaptive sports demonstrations, check out the latest in daily living aids, wheelchair technology and assistive devices, or attend workshops on dating, financial planning, adaptive equipment, selecting the right mobility device, and much more. The Abilities Expo is geared toward people of all ages, with special events for children, adults and seniors.

More than 5,000 people attended last year’s event in Los Angeles, while New York, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta also play host to huge Abilities Expo turnouts. Boasting a 31-year track record, the annual event is staggered from April to October in the different locations.

While every Abilities Expo is unique, here is a sampling of what you can expect to find:

Assistive Technology
Try out the latest wheelchair designs, adaptive sports gear and home furnishings. Find travel services to suit your individual needs, and discover daily living aids to make your life more comfortable and secure. You can even explore an assistive technology device that literally reads your mind.

Disability Workshops
You never pay for Abilities Expo workshops, which cover a broad range of issues that affect your everyday life. Learn about disability dating, emergency preparedness, service dogs, adaptive vehicle purchasing, finding the perfect mobility device, adaptive equipment advances, financial planning and universal design for accessible living. And if you’re a healthcare professional, you don’t want to miss the session on career development.

Special Events
Gravity-defying stunts, canine assistance demonstrations, makeovers, adaptive sports and dance, fashion reviews, technology showcases and more will entertain you throughout each Abilities Expo. It’s up to you whether you want to participate or just observe.

Children’s Activities
The Abilities Expo has families covered with an abundance of sports, crafts and games for your children, whether they have special needs or not. Adults will appreciate the opportunity to review, in one place, hundreds of products and services aimed at kids, as well as attending workshops designed for parents with special needs children.

See a video about the Abilities Expo here. You can also visit the Abilities Expo website to find the event nearest you. The staff at Abilities Expo will answer your questions or even help you find bargain travel to one of their host cities.