Abilities Expo/NY Metro to Be Held April 15-17, 2005.

NEW YORK -- Chad Crittenden, a Survivor Vanuatu Participant and Person Living with a Disability, Will Present the Special Keynote Address 

Abilities Expo/NY Metro, the one show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of people with disabilities, senior citizens, their families & caregivers, as well as healthcare and education professionals will take place at the New Jersey Convention Center, Edison, NJ from Friday, April 15 and continue through Sunday, April 17, 2005.

With over 55 million Americans living with a disability, there is an increasing demand for new products, services and technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the latest products on the market ranging from healthcare to fitness all located on the show floor and available to test and compare. Exhibitors to include Aquatic Access, Inc., Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, Dining With Dignity, Ford Motor Company, Independence Technology (a Johnson & Johnson Company), New Jersey Council of Developmental Disabilities, No Boundaries Mobility, LLC, Wheelchair Getaways, and many others will be on hand.

A special keynote address from Chad Crittenden, most recently known for participating in the CBS reality TV show Survivor Vanuatu, will take place on Sunday, April 17 at 12:30 pm in the Special Events Area on the show-floor. Chad was selected from over 10,000 applicants to appear on the show, and was the first contestant in the show's history to have an ambulatory disability. Chad will be discussing how his experience on Survivor has enabled him to raise awareness about the abilities of amputees. "The experience was amazing, and I'd do it again. People are now more aware of the abilities, drive, and feelings of others with disabilities, and I am proud that I accomplished this goal of mine," said Crittenden. Chad will be meeting show attendees at booth 625 on Sunday, April 17 from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. This special event is sponsored by Ride-away.

There will be free consumer workshops and professional education programs that will provide conference attendees with the opportunity to expand capabilities and update knowledge. More than three-dozen seminars will be offered during the three-day event. The following is a sample of the many varied topics which are offered: Deborah M. Breslin, Program Director, State Health Insurance Assistance Program will speak on Medicare Changes in 2005 and Beyond; Ron Cohen M.D., CEO and President, Acorda Therapeutics will speak on Mission Impossible? Repair of the Injured Spinal Cord; Kelly Dorfman, M.S., L.D.N., will speak on Using Nutritional Intervention to Optimize Cognition and Development; Dr. Richard Horowitz, President, RH Solutions, Inc, will speak on Family-Centered Parenting Strategies for Families with a Special Needs Child; LeeAnne Carrothers, P.T., PhD., Training Director, RRTC on Aging with a Disability and Bryan Kemp, Director, RRTC on Aging with a Disability will speak on Aging with a Disability: Implications for Long-Term Healthcare; and, Mike Marotta, Rehabilitation Technologist, CP of New Jersey will speak on Technology in the Workplace: Job Accommodations for People with Disabilities.

In addition, a variety of special events will be taking place at Abilities Expo throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of demonstrations and times will be posted on-site. There will also be a variety of value added complimentary services to help attendees enjoy the show, including complimentary wheelchair repair provided by D's Locks; loaner scooters and wheelchairs provided by Permobil on a first come first served basis; personal care attendants for bathroom and other special assistance; and, persons with visual impairments and persons with hearing impairments special assistance.

About Abilities Expo

Abilities Expo/New York Metro will be held Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 17 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, NJ. Abilities Expo is produced by Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com), a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions. Advanstar has 100 business magazines and directories, 77 tradeshows and conferences, numerous Web sites, and a wide range of print and electronic direct marketing, database and reference products and services. Advanstar serves targeted market sectors in such industries as art, automotive, beauty, e-learning, call center, digital media, entertainment/marketing, fashion & apparel, healthcare, manufacturing and processing, pharmaceutical, powersports, science, telecommunications and travel/hospitality. The Company has more than 1,200 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. For information about any of the Abilities Expo events visit www.abilitiesexpo.com or call 800-385-3085.