This past weekend, I attended Abilities Expo, an event focused on disability products, tech, and resources, in Los Angeles, and left feeling included, seen, and welcomed.

I hope every person with a disability can experience being in a space designed with disability at the forefront. My shoulders immediately relaxed when I entered the Abilities Expo. Throughout the event, I was surrounded by people who understood the daily realities of navigating a world that wasn’t designed with us in mind.

Sometimes, as a person with a disability, I over-explain and overcompensate to fit in. But at Abilities Expo, I belonged just as I am, with no explanations required. As someone who grew up feeling like the odd one out, that matters immensely. 

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was connecting with the wonderful people and organizations doing meaningful work in the disability space. I met the teams behind EasterSeals SoCal, New Mobility Magazine, The Rollettes, and Courageous Comics. The presence of these organizations, and their collective missions, shows that disability culture is powerful and thriving! Seeing innovative tech tools designed for people with disabilities was also deeply meaningful and exciting.

I loved connecting with my community at Abilities Expo. It showed the deep support the disabilities community provides, and was also a reminder that people with disabilities can live full, self-determined lives.