The Houston Abilities Expo takes place Aug. 5-7 at the NRG Center. They will have more than 100 exhibitors.
We’ve made a list of exhibitors that would interest people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind.
Exhibit Booths
Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Services
Sign Shares, Inc./International Booth: 625
Locate an interpreter for the Houston Abilities Expo at the Sign Shares, Inc./International Booth 625.
Sign Shares is the nation’s oldest provider of Sign Language Interpreting Services, created four years before the Americans with Disabilities Act was formulated. Our claim to fame will always be within sign language, but our reputable family has grown. We are pleased to announce our extended family. We are now a full-service, turn-key, Interpreting agency, serving both Deaf and Hearing/Foreign Speaking individuals on an international level. Proudly reaching a Global Scale.
Advocacy and Education
The Capsule Group and Sign Shares, Inc. Booth: 625
The Capsule Group, known as Capsule, along with Sign Shares, Inc./International, holds monthly meetings together with the Houston Center for Independent Living regarding important issues for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Community. Request a “My Choice” card at the booth if you want live interpreters and no Video Remote Interpreters for your medical appointments. You can also order the cards online. Learn more about your rights at the Capsule/Sign Shares’ booth.
Houston Center for Independent Living (HCIL) Booth: 627
The Houston Center for Independent Living provides services to people with disabilities by people with disabilities. They promote and advocate for the full inclusion, equal opportunity, and participation by consumers with disabilities in all aspects of society. Their services include peer counseling, advocacy, information & referral, employment assistance, independent living skills training, accessible housing and relocation services from institutions to the community, and more.
Houston Commission on Disabilities Booth: 335
The Commission is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the mayor, City Council, department directors and the individual designated by the mayor to head the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
Southwest ADA Center Booth: 333
The Southwest ADA Center is part of the ADA National Network. The center provides free information, guidance, training and resources to the public. To get free technical assistance, call 800-949-4232.
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities (Houston) Booth: 633
Special Education Advocacy Booth: 224
Assists parents with the IEP/ARD process in public schools. They work with families, students and schools to bring about goals, expectations and services to meet each child’s unique needs.
Assistive Technology
Relay Texas Booth: 622
Relay Texas-Free Telephone Access for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and those with Speech difficulties.
Texas Technology Access Program Booth: 231
The TTAP promotes independence for Texans with disabilities through access to technology. The program offers short-term device loans, sponsorship of demonstration centers to provide hands-on equipment experiences, device reuse, as well as training and technical assistance for Texans with disabilities, their families,and qualified professionals. Last year, the booth had a staff member who was fluent in ASL.
My Service Dog, Inc. Booth: 246
My Service Dog, Inc. trains service dogs for all types of disabilities. Other services include hearing dogs and dogs who assist with diabetic alerts, seizures, and Autism.
CaptionCall Booth: 532
CaptionCall uses voice recognition technology and a transcription service to provide written captions of what callers say on an easy-to-read screen. It works like a regular telephone – speak and listen using a regular telephone handset. The captioning service is free and is paid through a fund administered by the Federal Communications Commission, Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clear Captions Booth: 411
ClearCaptions provides text of phone conversations for people with hearing loss. ClearCaptions offers communication services for personal computers, mobile devices, and home phones.
Arts & Entertainment
CosAbility Booth: 259
Join CosAbility to ncorporate your disability when dressing up like your favorite superhero or character from a loved show. Participate in or watch Abilities Expo’s First Cosplay Competition. The contest is open to anyone on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.Visit their booth to learn more about how you can become a cosplayer and buy a T-Shirt.
Healing Fibers Foundation Booth: 449
Healing Fibers’ mission is to bring traditional fiber arts as a means of non-medical therapy and relaxation for those of all abilities. They will demonstrate:
Knitting, Crocheting, and Spindling. After completing a free beginner’s lesson, participants will receive a free kit to continue their new art at home.
VSA Texas Booths: 513, 512
VSA Texas, through their Artworks: Creative Industries program promotes visual artists through exhibition opportunities, mentoring, and workshops. Visit the Artist Market to see and purchase artwork by artists with disabilities living in Houston and surrounding areas.
Healthmate Forever Booth: 430
HealthmateForever combined TENS & PMS units are nerve stimulators for pain relief and muscle stimulators for muscle conditioning that use self-adhesive electrode pads to target specific nerve and muscle areas.
Houston Museum of Natural Science Booth: 223
The Houston Museum of Natural Science preserves and advances knowledge about natural science and enhances enjoyment of natural science. Ask if they have coupons!
Health and Cosmetic Products
U.S. Pain Foundation Booth: 210
The U.S. Pain Foundation serves those who live with pain conditions. It was created by people with pain for people with pain. U.S. Pain exists to offer hope, present information, share stories and honor those whose lives have been affected by pain.
Click Heaters Booth: 261
Push a button to heat up fluid-filled bags that can be reused again by boiling them.
Vine Vera Booth: 607
Vine Vera was formed to offer customers the resveratrol-based products that present innovative solutions for your skin care regimen. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes. It is thought to cleanse your body of impurities and helps in preventing the appearance of aging signs such as fine lines and wrinkles. They use resveratrol all their products, but also add other beneficial ingredients – essential oils, nutrients, antioxidants, natural extracts, vitamins and minerals. This company is known for their demonstrations and free samples.
Hawaiian Moon Booth: 321
Hawaiian Moon Organic Aloe Cream helps to repair and moisturize the skin. They suggest the cream makes a good gift too.
Legal
Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law Booth: 545
Have you been denied disability benefits? Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law assists in obtaining disability compensation for Veterans, claimants of long term disability insurance, and individuals who are disabled and eligible to apply for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income.
Texas Legal Services Center Booth: 432
Help is available to pay for Medicare premiums through the Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help. We can assist you or call your local Area Agency on Aging Benefits Counselor for more information. Texas Legal Services Center provides free legal service and referrals for legal needs for low and moderate income Texans.
Southwest ADA Center Booth: 333
The Southwest ADA Center is part of the ADA National Network. The center provides free information, guidance, training and resources to the public. To get free technical assistance, call 800-949-4232.
Accessible Programs
Adaptive Sports-Houston, Pasadena, and Pearland Booth: 358
Each city has a recreation facility open to use, free of charge! Includes: wheelchair sports, aquatic programming, weight room, locker room facilities, meeting rooms, tennis courts, day programs and more.
Center for Higher Independence @ Providence Place Booth: 214
Center for Higher Independence of San Antonio works with young adults with disabilities and those who are deaf to provide work and life skills training to live more independently. Their 18-month program teaches work and independent living on a 25-acre campus with dorm and apartment living options. Funding options are DARS or Private Pay. Last year, they had booth staff who were fluent in ASL.
Insurance Companies/ Healthcare
Ask your insurance company about questions you have about what your health insurance coverage provides. If you have had problems with your insurance, ask them row to contact a consumer advocate or other person to assist you.
Amerigroup Booth: 610
UnitedHealthcare Community & State Booth: 534
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan serves over 300,000 members in commercial and state health care programs.
Register for the Abilities Expo here.
Directions to the Houston Abilities Expo.
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