Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Abilities Expo! Stay tuned for photos and videos recapping the event on our website and social media.
Want to learn more about a vendor or presenter from the event? Click here to scroll to the Vendor and Presentation information
ConnecTra Society’s flagship event, the Abilities Expo, brings together exhibitors, vendors, resources, guest speakers, and more to further enrich the disability community’s well-being and connectedness.
The theme for this year’s Abilities Expo is How to Thrive in 2025: Your Wellness, Your Way.
Interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor?
Vendor and sponsor applications for the 2025 Abilities Expo are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application!
If you have any questions, please contact our event team at info@connectra.org.
ConnecTra’s Abilities Expo: “How to Thrive in 2025: Your Wellness, Your Way”
Date: June 9th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PT
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC
Since 2010, ConnecTra’s Abilities Expo has provided an opportunity for people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals to learn about local resources and connect with others in the community. The event brings together like-minded organizations and resources that can help inform and enrich health and well-being. The event is about introducing opportunities and discovering what is possible for us all.
This year’s Abilities Expo theme is “How to Thrive in 2025: Your Wellness, Your Way.” The expo will showcase resources in our community that will help us all thrive as we follow the paths we want for our lives. The Expo features inspirational and informative talks, relevant services/products, interactive activities for kids and adults alike, and employers who promote diversity and inclusion.
Featuring
- 40+ Exhibitors & Vendors from in and around the lower mainland
- Guest Speakers & Presentations
- Resources & adaptive activities
- FREE Catered lunch
- …and more!
2025 SCHEDULE
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 10:00 AM | Doors Open | Roundhouse Community Centre |
| 10:15 AM | Land Acknowledgement & Opening Statements | Main Room |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Simon Paradis and Kara Stanley: I’ve Been Better; I’ve Been Worse | Performance Centre |
| 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Adaptive Chair Yoga with Bobbie Seale-Cobiskey | Room B |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | FREE Catered Lunch | Room B |
| 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Chi-ka Harada: The Inner Work of Thriving | Performance Centre |
| 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Contemporary Improv Dance Class With All Bodies Dance | Room B |
| 4:00 PM | Doors Close – Thanks for Coming! | Roundhouse Community Centre |
We will not be live-streaming presentations this year, but after the event, we will upload the videos of the presentations to the Disability Foundation YouTube channel for those located outside of the Lower Mainland or otherwise unable to attend.
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Follow us on social media or join the ConnecTra mailing list for more information.
Digital Assets For Partners and Media (Coming Soon)
If you have any questions or want to chat about sponsoring the Abilities Expo, please email our event organizers at info@connectra.org.
Getting Here
Walking/Wheeling
From Granville Street, head east five blocks down Davie St.
Bus
Buses 6 & C23 stop within feet of the Roundhouse Community Centre. Learn more about getting around by transit in Vancouver on the Translink website.
Parking
Paid parking will be available in the Roundhouse parkade.
Skytrain
The Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line Station is 200 metres from the Roundhouse Community Centre. Upon exiting the station, head east down Davie St. until you reach the Pacific Blvd cross-street – the Roundhouse Community Centre will be right across the street!
Venue Map
For a map of the venue, click here.
For the floor plan, click here.
Abilities Expo 2023: Adventure Awaits!
In 2023, the theme was ‘Adventure Awaits’ and the event was well received by the community with over 400 people coming and going all day! Our community connected with all sorts of resources to find the type of Adventure suited for them. Watch our recap video below!
Vendors & Exhibitors For Abilities Expo 2025
Guest Speakers & Presentations
I’ve Been Better; I’ve Been Worse by Kara Stanley & Simon Paradis
Kara and Simon offer a playful and musical exploration of the often difficult-to-think-or-talk-about topics of chronic pain and surviving traumatic injuries. In an interactive collage of personal story, song, poetry, and science, they weave together a multi-faceted look at ways to build resilience through promoting a sense of safety, pleasure and of communal connection. The internet, podcasts, talk show hosts, your best friend’s aunt—everyone has surefire tips on how to live your best life. But rather than offer a singular prescription for wellness, Kara and Simon share their story of building an adaptive partnership that allows them to move through the ups and downs of life. The result is raw, humorous, and realistic. We all feel a little less lonely when we share our stories and sing our songs.
Learn more about Simon and Kara’s work:
Kara’s Website | Simon’s Website
The Inner Work of Thriving by Chi-ka Harada
This talk will feature Chi-ka Harada sharing tips around understanding your inner world (mind & emotions), deprogramming societal conditioning, claiming your confidence, and using emotional and mental self-awareness to create a life you love. It is about thriving your way, not by the standards others have laid out for you.
Follow Chi-ka:
Adaptive Yoga with Bobbie-Seale Cobiskey
Relax and connect with body and breath! This accessible Chair Yoga class will weave together practical breathing techniques with sensitively taught yoga postures and movements to meet the needs of all participants.
Follow Bobbie:
Join ConnecTogether on Wednesdays
Contemporary Improv Dance Class with All Bodies Dance
Dance is for every BODY. Join All Bodies Dance Project at 3:30 PM to connect with the joy of movement, self-discovery, and imagination. Explore and improvise through action prompts, phrases, shapes, and activities that celebrate the diversity of inclusive community dance. No experience is required; everyone is welcome. Move as much or as little as you would like.
Follow All Bodies Dance and Janice:
ABDP Website | ABDP Instagram | ABDP Facebook | Janice’s Instagram
Join ConnecTogether on Fridays
Vendors
