Accesschicago 2018 Program guide
We’re glad you’re able to join us. Today you can experience the wonder and power of accessible technology, innovative products, services and recreational opportunities. Representatives from the companies that provide these services are eager to discuss what they can do for you!
The Exhibit Hall Guide helps you easily locate exhibitors so that you can maximize your visit to one of the most comprehensive product/services expos in Chicago. Exhibitors are listed alphabetically to help you identify the products and services most relevant to your needs and interests.
Familiarize yourself with exhibitors: Pressed for time? Review the alphabetical exhibitor listing, note booth numbers look for the correct zone and locate these booths on the Exhibit Hall Map.
Need more detailed exhibitor information: Expand your search for exhibitors that just might offer “the missing link” to improve the quality of your own or someone else’s life. Search the Exhibitor listing to identify products in your greatest areas of interest, then further narrow your search by reading their profiles.
Need a little help: Look for Sign Language interpreters and Sighted guides:
•Navy Blue vests – Sign language interpreters will be around AccessChicago
•There will be interpreters with NO vests at the Main Stage, Employment Workshops and PresentationRoom 206-207.
•Green vests – These guides will assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Requests for assistance must be made at the volunteer check-in (near the Main Entrance).
Activities and workshops:
SL Class (10:30am, 1:30pm)
Exploring expressions of nonverbal communication, encourage them to learn sign language and involve game activities with no voice.
Chicago Children’s Museum, Art-a Go-Go (All Day)
Explore ways to provide play and learning experiences to your chhildren with Chicago Children’s Museum staff. Learn more about the museum and its resources and join in the fun of Art-a Go-Go an oppertunity to shake, rattle and roll to create your own colorful movement art!
Chicago Park District, AccessChicago Lanes (All Day)
Come one, come all and join us for a great time as we bring the fun and excitement of bowling to AccessChicago! Use the skills you learn today on your next trip to the bowling alley!
Chicago Park District, Boccia (All Day)
Boccia is a Paralympic sport that anyone can play. Check out Paralympic player Kenny Johnson as he demonstrates the sport and plays matches with interested audience members. Come join in the fun!
Chicago Park District, Bean Bag Toss (All Day)
It’s as easy as 1-2-3…toss your bean bag through the target hole and score points. The first player to reach 21 wins! The game involves a little bit of strategy, a little bit of strength and a whole lot of fun! Drop by and play a round of bean bag toss today!
Chicago Park District, Fishing! (All Day)
Chicago Park District, Fishing! Casting for fun! Chicago’s Fish ‘N Kids (fishing instructors) will be on hand to show kids how to cast practice plugs (no hooks) into targets at our indoor casting pond.
Cooking Demo Area **New This Year!!!
The Cooking Demo Area will be showcasing presentations by the below organizations. All presentations are related to healthy food choices and overall good nutrition. Each presenter has a scheduled time and will be providing a sample of the food they’re demoing. The samples are on a first come, first serve basis and each participant must be seated to receive a sample.
Tracy’s Plate - (9:30am - 10:30am)
Tracy Williams enjoys educating the community about healthy living and promoting proper nutrition, especially advocating for peers living with disabilities. Come start your morning off with taste of a healthy smoothie recipe and pick-up a copy of the recipe to take with you!
Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion - (11:30am - 1:00pm)
CPHP represents a network of community based interventions designed to improve nutrition and reduce disparities in outcomes associated with nutritional diseases including obesity and malnutrition. Come get a sample of a veggie cup and learn about My Plate in an engaging and informative presentation by Ms. Dorothy Collins.
Purple Asparagus - (2:00am - 3:00pm)
Purple Asparagus educates children, families and communities about eating what’s good
for the body and the planet. They are a CPS certified Food and Fitness Partner. Come and enjoy a sampling of their Summer Fruit Panzanella Salad! Purple Asparagus is also in our Health Pavilion, please visit them there for information you can take with you!
Envision Unlimited - “Easy Gardening” - (9:30am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm)
Re-purposed materials, plants and seedlings will be used to create a gardening experience using a planted container that participants can take home. Please visit Envision Unlimited’s booth right across from Gardening to get more information about all the services they offer!
Freedom Golf Association (FGA) - (All Day)
FGA is dedicated to bringing joy and a sense of freedom to the special needs community through their inclusion in the game of golf. FGA contributes to the positive development of those with special needs through the magic of golf.
Health PavilionAgencies (All Day)
The Health Pavilion is sponsored by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and their delegates. NEW to the AccessChicago Health Pavilion this year is: Catholic Charities, Advocate Dental Center, Cook County MEDS, Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare and Purple Asparagus.
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will provide the following information:
•Lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes: We provide information on lead poisoning prevention and lead hazard reductions.
•HIV Services: We provide safer sex materials and information with on-site condom demonstration and table discussion.
•Emergency Preparedness: We provide safe and effective vaccines and educational information about how to prepare for and prevent health emergencies.
•West Nile Virus- Vector Control: We provide information on West Nile and the Zika Virus prevention. Education will be given on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, what we can do around our homes to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in our homes.
Advocate Dental Center
The Advocate Dental Center on the campus of Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center provides comprehensive dental care to adults and children with developmental disabilities.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is committed to promoting the health and wellness of our members and communities. Our commitment guides us in fostering greater access to care and working to lower the overall cost of care while improving care quality and patient outcomes.
Catholic Charities
The Catholic Charities Community Family Service Center is a school and office based counseling center for children ages 3-18. Children are provided therapeutic services by therapists trained in trauma focused appoaches
Centro Comunitario Juan Diego - BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
As a grassroots based organization we operate many vital programs focused on healthcare issues, community organizing, social services, and family education. Through our efforts we hope to foster confident leaders for today and tomorrow. Centro Comunitario will offer free blood pressure screenings to the public. Additional information on breast cancer and navigating the healthcare system for mammograms provided.
Cook County Health and Hospitals System – RAPID HIV SCREENING
Cook County Health and Hospitals System is the City’s only public health system providing quality healthcare to the residents of Cook County. Project Connect will provide HIV testing with rapid results.
Cook County MEDS
Cook County MEDS is an educational campaign working to spread awareness about the proper management, storage, and disposal of prescription medication
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Free cancer support for the whole family, the whole time. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care and includes healthy lifestyle, workshops, educational lectures, social opportunities, support and networking groups, and resource referrals.
National Kidney Foundation of IL- BLOOD SUGAR SCREENING
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois improves the health and well-being of people at risk for or affected by kidney disease through prevention, education and empowerment.
Purple Asparagus
Purple Asparagus educates children, families, and the community about eating that is good for the body and the planet. Purple Asparagus believes that all children and families deserve good health and a healthy planet and that the health of both is promoted by eating a diet high in produce. Come visit us in the cooking demo area for a sample of our Summer Fruit Panzanella Salad between 2pm and 3pm.
Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING
Trilogy’s mission is to support people in their recovery from mental illness by helping them discover and reclaim their capabilities, life direction, and well-being. Resources offered on coping skills, sensory self-regulation, and relaxation.
White Crane Wellness Center – FALL PREVENTION SCREENINGS
White Crane Wellness Center is a not-for-profit health and wellness center offering fall prevention screenings.
Institute for Therapy through the Arts
Join Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) for interactive, creative arts therapy workshops. ITA provides these therapies for all ages and all abilities.
I See Music, LLC (Singer/Guitarist) Stage performance times(11:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-1:30pm)
I See Music’s holistic approach in training the visually impaired in all aspects of the music industry enables them to take their rightful place as top musicians, performers, producers and engineers on the world stage. It also paves the way to provide the visually impaired with employment options, including entrepreneurship, that can elevate their lives and standards of living. I See Music’s Music Production and Engineering Program (MPEP) works equally well for the sighted, and the program is affordable and available virtually. Join us throughout the day for hands-on demonstrations and sessions that highlight the tools this innovative company uses.
Presenters: Byron Harden, Owner & Director, “I See Music”
Jason Dasent, Executive Producer, Studio Jay Recording Ltd.
Below are the sessions “I See Music” will be conducting during AccessChicago 2018 at Booth 211:
Session I
The Native Instruments ecosystem! Using Maschine and Komplete Kontrol to Master Music Production - 9:00 am – 10:15 am
The Maschine controller paired with the Komplete Kontrol keyboard offer an accessible out-of-the-box system that enables visually impaired musicians and producers to ably compete alongside their sighted counterparts in the fast paced and ever-changing music industry. Come learn how I See Music, in partnership with Jay Recording/J Access, has brought this system to life using their innovative training technique. See how the system functions in a studio environment and witness a live performance demonstration.
Session II
The Big Score - Why visually impaired musicians and producers make great film composers - 10:45 – 12:00
In an industry where what you hear is equally as important as what you see, visually impaired film composers and sound engineers, using state-of-the-art technology, have developed ingenious ways to navigate the complex world of audio engineering, sound effects and composing film scores. Our session will delve into how the visually impaired can master all the audio elements of a film, as well as applications in the advertising industry.
Session III
The Mix Master – How the visually impaired use Pro Tools to master recording and mixing - 12:30 – 1:45
Pro Tools is the industry standard for Digital Audio Work Stations (DAWs) in top recording studios around the world. Now through the hard work and commitment of the Avid and Flo Tools development teams visually impaired engineers can access this world class equipment without additional hardware and software requirements. Get a walk-through of a Pro Tools session and view a demonstration of the mastering of a finished song and the preparations for its worldwide distribution.
Session IV
We’ve Got Logic Covered - 2:00 – 3:00
Increasingly Logic is being used in recording studios around the world and, because of the accessibility it offers, visually Impaired producers and engineers have the freedom to navigate Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Join us for a hands-on demonstration where an artist will arrange, record and mix a song in Logic. Also learn how to familiarize yourself with third party plug-ins with services including Antares Autotune, Wave and Arturia Virtual instruments. Also learn how mastering LOGIC can lead to substantial employment opportunities.
Sensory Play Area **Expanded This Year! (All Day)
MOPD welcomes the following organizations and thanks them for being apart of AccessChicago! Please come join them in this area to get more information about each organization and the services they provide.
Early Vention subscription boxes include ready-made activities with visual, sensory and interactive components to help promote language and play of kids with autism and different abilities.
16951 New England Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Gigi’s Playhouse works to change how the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs and empowering people with Down syndrome, their families and the community. We offer free educational and therapeutic programming to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
3948 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
Pyramid Supportive Early Learning Center is a community resource for families of children with special needs. Our mission is to provide family-friendly educational and therapeutic services to Chicago families, both in-home and clinic-based. We offer playgroups and individual therapies (including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy) and a preschool center that offers classroom readiness programs based on improving sensory motor stability to support emotional regulation--it’s aim is to help children build confidence and success in a classroom setting. We offer a unique autism program as well that combines principles of floor-time, ABA, parent coaching and a multidisciplinary team approach to fit each child’s individual needs. There will be equipment provided for regulation alongside a certified Occupational Therapist.
3048 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
Leep Forward will have a sensory obstacle course, as well as a sensory seek and find with prizes, in both water beads, and dry.
1280 W. Washington
Chicago, IL 60611
Scales & Tales Traveling Zoo (11:00pm, 1:00pm)
Enjoy and educational encounter with exotic animals. Race giant turtles, feed a pig that eats like a vacuum cleaner, watch an owl fly, meet a sloth, walk an ant eater by the tail. An interactive experience for kids of all ages and abilities! This activity area will close at 12:00pm for lunch
Sparky the Soccer Dalmation (2:00pm - 3:00pm)
Sparky, the spirited Dalmatian with soccer ball spots, has been a loyal Chicago Fire mascot since 1998. Sparky’s flair for dribbling, passing and scoring made him a natural to join the Fire, and he’s served on behalf of the “Men in Red” at every home game and dozens of community events and special corporate gatherings each year since.
Sparky is branching out even more in the Chicagoland area as an ambassador for the team’s official fan club, the Chicago Fire Kids Club. Sparky’s contribution on the field and in the community has made him one of the most notable mascots in the Chicagoland area.
Staley Da Bear (11:00am - 12:00pm)
Staley ranks as the all-time funniest, fuzziest, funkiest bear in the history of the NFL! He is highly skilled with a fishing pole, enjoys playing the drums, and exercising regularly. Staley especially loves to “bust-a-move”, and shake what his mama bear gave him. His former girlfriends include Britney Sbears, Christina Agubeara, Bearyonce, and most recently Megan Bear-trainor.
United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) (All Day)
The United States Adaptive Golf Alliance is an organization with 28 members across the country providing a competitive pathway (training through competitions) for adaptive golf.
2018 Exhibitors:
101 Mobility143
A to Z Mobility255
Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago222
ADT Health347
Aetna Better Health Premier Plan268
AHIHA-Deaf & Hard of Hear’ Hockey School240
Anixter Center337
Autism Learning Partners263
Bridges From School to Work137