Abilities Expo, the Nation's Largest Event for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers, Is Coming to the Chicago Area on July 8-10

CHICAGO, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, wounded veterans and healthcare professionals will attend Abilities Expo on Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, 2011 at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours are Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

Abilities Expo has put together an impressive line-up of exhibits, workshops, celebrities, events and activities to appeal to the full spectrum of people with disabilities, from children to seniors and everyone in between. In addition, there will be free hearing screenings onsite (limited appointments available). Complimentary wheelchair repair and shuttle service will also be available onsite during show hours.

"It is our privilege to provide this forum for the Community of people with disabilities in the Chicago area to come together and gain access to life-enhancing technologies, education and resources," said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. "Between the adaptive events, the dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display...this is a must-attend event for everyone in the Community."

The Latest Products and Services

Attendees will experience cutting-edge products and services for people with a wide range of disabilities. They will find mobility products, devices for people with developmental disabilities, medical equipment, home accessories, essential services, low-cost daily living aids, products for people with sensory impairments and much more.

Relevant Workshops

A series of compelling workshops which address pressing disability issues will be offered free-of-charge to all attendees. Sessions will focus on travel, home modifications, assistive technology, exercise, mobility solutions, financial planning and that is just for starters.

Adaptive Sports, Dancing and More!

Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. Attendees of all abilities can scale the adaptive climbing wall, test their skill at archery, learn some hip-hop wheelchair dancing moves, watch adaptive cheerleading, enjoy canine assistance demos and play adaptive sports. Children will also have the opportunity to transform into their favorite animals or characters with free face painting.

Celebrity Encounters

Famed actor, television icon and best-selling author Henry Winkler will share his personal story about his mother's struggle with upper limb spasticity in a compelling workshop entitled Understanding Upper Limb Spasticity on July 9.

Former American Idol contestant and local celebrity Chris Medina will be at the BraunAbility booth on July 8-9. Attendees can sign up for a free download of his hit song, What Are Words, written for his fiance who suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Give Back to the Community

Abilities Expo participants can bring their old cell phones, iPhones, iPods or iPads to donate to the Gift a Voice Project, a program that refurbishes or recycles this equipment so that they can be used by people with communication disabilities.

For more information, visit www.abilitiesexpo.com/chicago.

SOURCE Abilities Expo