2024 Capable Con Returns to Venture North On June 1 to Cap Off National AccessAbility Week
/The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) has launched the return of Capable Con, a family-friendly free event that was announced at the Venture North Building on Tuesday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Venture North Parking lot on June 1, the final day of National AccessAbility week.
Capable Con features fun activities, vendors, and live entertainment while promoting and creating healthy dialogues about inclusivity and accessibility.
“That's what we're aiming for: have fun, be engaged, learn, ask questions and just really enjoy themselves,” said Jason King, CPD marketing and programming coordinator.
Attendees have a chance to experience CPD's innovative Virtual Reality Simulation of the Time in My Shoes Program, offering a firsthand perspective on the daily challenges many individuals face.
“Disability touches every aspect of life and it's crucial that we ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, whether it's access to services, inclusive environments, or employment opportunities,” said Cody McIntyre, CPD Council Vice Chair.
The inaugural event launched in 2022. King says it is getting bigger and better each year with new annual features.
“Canopy Services is bringing their sensory tent to check out,” he explained.” It's designed to give you some place peaceful where you can have a weighted blanket or some textured items, noise-cancelling headphones, whatever you might need to calm yourself and relax. It's a really big deal when it comes to people with autism or with other types of intellectual challenges.
Since the event’s inception, Capable Con has been bringing back its ‘Capable Crew,’ a team of everyday superheroes with disabilities who will visit various organizations to celebrate the community's diverse tapestry and promote inclusivity.
The following are the characters showcased for Capable Con:
Scout and traveller, a hero with vision loss and his guide dog
Amanda Auriel, a hero with hearing loss but can read body signals and lips to capture words spoken. She uses a skateboard with her name spelled out in sign language.
Power Pals Jordan and Jamie who are on the autism spectrum. They possess the power of hyper-focus, unconventional outlooks, pattern recognition, great memory and recall.
Bionica Bot, an amputee gymnast with interchangeable parts for her arm to suit the task at hand.
Cruze, a hero able to navigate anywhere with the power of his unique wheelchair
