Jackson Heights, NY–United Spinal Association’s 2nd Annual Independence Expo – the premier event to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders returned to the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in sunny Orlando, Florida on August 9-10, 2008.

Attendees, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and therapists, had an opportunity to explore over 100 vendor exhibits featuring life-enhancing products and services, and participate in 12 informative workshops covering a variety of disability-related topics.

“We had a fantastic turnout for this year’s Expo,” said Paul J. Tobin, president and CEO of United Spinal Association. “I’d like to personally thank everyone involved, including all of the exhibitors and attendees for making this event extremely memorable and rewarding. I am proud to have had the opportunity to gather with so many individuals within the disability community from across the country that strives to make a difference and create outlets to freedom and independence for us all. We hope to continue to host the Independence Expo for years to come and build upon its success.”

Some of this year’s notable exhibitors included Florida-based U Can Ski 2 (www.UcanSki2.com), an organization sanctioned by USA Water Ski that promotes sports and recreation for people with disabilities through adaptive water skiing; Perrmobil (www.permobilusa.com), with a variety of power wheelchairs on display; Next Mobility (www.nextmobilitynow.com), which assembled a ramp to demonstrate the DeltaGlide technology behind its line of power assist wheelchairs that makes pushing up inclines effortless and diminishes the stress some mobility equipment can place on the body; and New Horizons Service Dogs (www.newhorizonsservicedogs.org), a nonprofit organization that partners highly trained dogs with people with disabilities.