Ability Expo NYC is About Inclusiveness

Moms, dads, grandmothers- people of all abilities and ages got together under one roof of Ability Expo NYC this past weekend. It was a social event just as much as a trade show.

We were one of the exhibitors. Our goal was to promote our universal design services for Klima Design Group. But more than anything we wanted to listen to more people and their challenges in life and at home. Some wheelchair users never used a shower. They lived in small apartments where a curbless shower is not possible to install. Other bathrooms were flooded even after they rented accessible homes. We were explaining pros and cons of curbless, barrier-free bathrooms while learning from the visitors.

Participants and Events

Also, we met vendors selling products for wheelchair users to achieve more independence and live easier lifestyles. All of them were personally involved with someone in the family with mobility challenges. Of course, people were looking for the ways to share common energy and community spirit.

Wheelchair Dancing

One of the participants, Roll Call Wheelchair Dance located in Pearl River, New York, grabbed my attention. Everyone loved the dances they showed performed at the Arena. It was hard to sit still and not to participate!

Another company that inspired me was Happy Fest Obstacle Course and Festival. The owner, Adam Stengel created an all-inclusive event within my local Central New Jersey community that will also be wheelchair accessible.

People brought in their pets to participate. I spotted a family with a father, a little boy, a Goldendoodle and a girl who were all dancing on the Arena. Of course, it was not easy for the father to handle all three. He was trying to send the little boy back to his mother. But the boy won’t listen. He wanted to participate with his sister.

We are inspired by the community and the people and can’t wait to work on new exciting projects and design inclusive, universal and accessible spaces.

Please let me know if you are in the New York/New Jersey area and want to participate in Happy Fest on May 21, 2016. Please share it with your friends to support this fun event. I will send you a special invite if you connect with me at marinaklima@mydecoratingtips.com.  But for now, here is:

Please post your questions here below. I’ll be happy to help you!