Aquarium of the Pacific Host It’s 17th Annual Festival of Human Abilities
Guests are invited to come and celebrate the talents and creativity of people with disabilities at the Aquarium of the Pacific. This is a two-day event happening this weekend, Jan. 25-26th where visitors can enjoy live music, dance performances, art, and demonstrations.
Source: Tiffany Brito
Featured at the festival are hip-hop wheelchair dancers, a sign language choir, a guitarist who is blind, and other inspiring performing artists. Along with these music and dance performances, the Aquarium of the Pacific will feature art demonstrations and displays by local artists with disabilities.
Cody Unser will present adaptive SCUBA demonstrations to show that people of all abilities can enjoy the therapeutic sport. The Glenn Mclntyre Heritage Award will be presented to Dani Bowman on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 1:40 p.m. in recognition of her outstanding service to people with disabilities.
A variety of free creative workshop classes that will last for about 30-45 minutes per session will be held on-site for guests to check out. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn to sing in sign language, create wheelchair art, paint a hat, and try hip-hop wheelchair dancing. All major programming will have sign language interpreters for guests who are deaf in which the Aquarium of the Pacific will provide guides in braille and audio tours for those who are blind.
Source: Aquarium of the Pacific
Guests who would like closed captioning to accompany the new multisensory film in the Honda Pacific Visions Theater can now use Moverio smart glasses provided by Epson. These glasses are launching during the Festival of Human Abilities. In addition, guests who are deaf or blind can request Ultraleap devices, which use ultrasound waves to create the sensation of touch in mid-air, for use inside the theater. Shapes and movements that correspond to the film will be felt on the hand of the person using this device. The smart glasses and Ultraleap devices can be checked out at the Aquarium’s Information Desk free of charge.
The Festival of Human Abilities is free to the Aquarium of the Pacific members and included with general admission for the public. General admission is $34.95 adult (12 and up), $31.95 senior (62 and up), and $24.95 child (3-11). The Aquarium of the Pacific is located on, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.
By: Geraldine Goicochea
Twitter: @itsGeraldineLA