NSU will host the 35th annual Disabilities Expo on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alvin Sherman Library and Don Taft University Center to provide information on services, resources and products for physically and mentally disabled people.
Director of Student Disability Services Arlene Giczkowski said that the expo was created to exhibit and promote resources in Broward County that assist people of various ages with their disabilities. It will include entertainment and live performances by disabled artists, more than 70 exhibitors, a fashion show, wheelchair basketball tournaments, games, educational forums for parents and more.
Giczkowski said that the expo has grown tremendously since she began working with the event in 2005. She worked with the former chairperson to make the event larger and, now, more than 1,000 people are expected to attend.
“Each year we try to add something new or different to try and make it more attractive to different people,” she said. “It’s all just promoting everything we have to offer here in Broward County and in the university.”
“It’s such an awareness-building event and people don’t realize the amount of people in the community who benefit from these services,” she said. “We have a huge disabled population at NSU and people don’t necessarily know that or know what we have to offer them.”
Events in the UC will focus on social-recreational and disability services, while the events at the library will revolve around health-related agencies and children’s resources.
The UC will house representatives from social-recreational and disability services in the community who will provide information on their products. There will also be an art exhibit, fashion show and wheelchair basketball tournament.
One of the services is 2-1-1 Broward, which is a nonprofit, 24/7 agency that provides individuals with information and connections to health and human service agencies and programs. Billie Morgan is the Behavioral Health and Special Needs Program Manager at the organization and helps coordinate the expo. Her department helps families in the community find resources for taking care of children with special needs.
“The expo is a way for parents to just have a one-stop-shop where they can find all their resources, have a good time and allow their kids to be themselves and have a good time, as well,” Morgan said.
The Inspiration Runway fashion show will feature models with disabilities walking down the red carpet on the second floor of the UC. The models will share their personal stories about their inspirations and what they aspire to be. Light refreshments will be provided at the show.
“Inspiration Runway is not about the fashion, it’s about the models,” Morgan said. “You’ll never see a fashion show like this.”
The Eppy Group financial firm will sponsor the seventh annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the RecPlex basketball courts on Oct. 11 and 12. The tournament will feature adult teams from around Florida, including the Miami Heat Wheels, Orlando Magic Wheels, Sunrise Suns, Fort Lauderdale Sharks, Brooks Ballers and Tampa Bay Strong Dogs.
A large tent in front of the library will be known as Center Stage at the expo. Throughout the day, this area will feature performances by nonprofit organizations and disabled artists, including the South Florida Pirates and the Exceptional Theater Company, which teaches theater to people with physical and intellectual challenges.
Inside the library, there will be a Kids Zone for children to take part in smaller activities, seminars for parents, health-related exhibitors and agencies, and a “Chill Zone” where parents can take their children who may feel overwhelmed with all of the activity at the expo and take part in a “Stop and Relax” yoga program. The seminars will provide information on how assisted technology and video modeling can help children with special needs develop their social skills and recognize their emotions.
Giczkowski also said that more students are impacted by disabilities than they tend to think and that 5-10 percent of the student population usually has a disability of some sort.
“Most of the time, students don’t have disabilities that you can see,” Giczkowski said. “You could be sitting in class with someone and not know that they have a disability.”
The expo is sponsored by NSU, along with The Eppy Group, Broward County Public Schools, Autism Society of Broward County, Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options, Disability Rights Florida and Magellan Complete Care.
Morgan said, “Without NSU’s support and generosity, we wouldn’t be able to have this event…NSU recognizes that this is an important event that links our community together and helps individuals with disabilities have a fun place to gather and to learn about resources and to be themselves.”
Students can also volunteer at the expo. Those interested should contact Graduate Assistant for Assessment and Student Engagement Nikki Tennessen at nt354@nova.edu for more information.
Giczkowski said that volunteers always express their gratitude for the experience.
“It’s a way for them to increase their knowledge, get some satisfaction, and be aware of other opportunities in the community that they can get involved in,” she said.
No registration is required to attend. For more information, visit disabilitiesexpo.com or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDisAbilitiesExpo.
For more information about Student Disability Services, call 954-262-7185 or email disabilityservices@nova.edu.
