Saturday, May 13th from 10:00-3:00 at the Memorial Coliseum
Did you know that the Disabilities Expo is for anyone, not just those with disabilities and their caregivers? The Disabilities Expo serves as a resource fair for disabled people and those that care for them AND is a celebration of our Northeast Indiana Disabilities Community! We hope that those who don’t fall under the disability/caregiver category know that they’re welcome as well. This free event is a great opportunity to get to know about friends and neighbors with disabilities, or just to have fun!
In addition to the over 120 vendors providing products and services for people with disabilities, families, and caregivers, the day is packed with demonstrations and performances by those with disabilities in our community. Turnstone will host a power soccer demonstration, a boccia (adapted bocce) demonstration & clinic, and provide other adaptive activities throughout the day. Performers with disabilities will show off their talents with groups like the Whitley County Dazzlers, the Jesters of the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and more. Disabled artists from all over Northeast Indiana will be showcasing and selling their artwork; our staff never leaves empty-handed!
The fun doesn’t stop at services and performances. The Spectrum Sisters, a group of adult women on the autism spectrum supported by My Autism Ally, will be face painting. Most vendors will have fun activities at their booths, including a scavenger hunt hosted by PQC Works. This year’s collaborative art project will be a large mural created on white cardboard. Markers will be available so everyone can leave their mark, either by creating artwork or just signing their name. We’re ensuring everyone can participate by having adjustable tables, markers that can be used with your mouth (that won’t be reused by anyone else), adaptive tools for those that can’t grip the markers, along with stamps, and cookie cutters to trace. At the game center you will find jumbo checkers (with adaptations), jumbo Connect 4, ring toss, shuffleboard, and corn hole!
We know people have concerns when attending large events, especially when accompanying someone with a disability. To ease some of those concerns, our event is free and AWS Foundation is hosting parking. If your child or loved one gets overstimulated by noise and light, one of our vendors will have a mobile sensory room and we have sensory items like headphones, fidgets, and sunglasses to check out at the info table. We use the conference center entrance, so you can drop off those who have trouble walking or wheeling far distances right at the door, and we have seating around the venue. Are you bringing someone with anxiety? We will have therapy dogs roaming the event all day to ensure the comfort of our attendees.
Everyone is welcome at the Disabilities Expo. We hope to see you there!
Visit DisabilitiesExpoIndiana.org to learn more.