We here at Physical Issues are very excited about the upcoming World Congress on Disabilities Expo (WCD EXPO) on Nov 21 & 22 here in Jacksonville, Fl.

Mark Dineen is the Managing Director of the World Congress & Expo on Disabilities. We sat down with Mark and asked the following questions:

PI: What is the WCD Expo? How often is one held?

Mark: The WCD Expo is a trade show and conference providing products and education to people with developmental and physical disabilities, their families and the professionals who work with them. This includes physicians, nurses, PTs, OTs, educators, administrators and everyone else involved in the lives of people with disabilities. The show is currently held twice a year. We are planning on staying in Jacksonville every November and hope we have a big attendee turn out to help bring the vendors back in 09.

PI: How far back does WCD go and overtime what have been some of the changes?

Mark: The WCD was launched in 2000 and had the mission of Bringing People Together. Over the 9 years of the shows existence many things have changed. One major change has been the advancement of technology. Assistive technology products, the increased benefits of technology within power chairs and other mobility products and the significant changes within science and advancement of prosthetics. Conversion vans have become sleeker and more in line with standard looking cars, lifts have become easier to use and lighter. Homes are now being designed by Universal home designers creating living spaces that are much more in tune with the needs of the individual.

PI: Where are some of the places the WCD Expo has been held and why?

Mark: The show has been held in a few different cities over the years, Atlanta , Orlando , Philadelphia and now Jacksonville . Each city has its own benefits and potential attendee base. We have moved the event to different places because we were trying to reach more people. In 2008 we started a second show with more of a regional focus. This helped us reach the people who can not make the trip to Jacksonville and will then allow us to stay in Jacksonville in the Fall timeframe while producing these smaller events in other regions.

PI: Why Jacksonville?