Event poster with vibrant neon colors, announcing a celebration for the Arya Foundation on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Marriott St. Louis West.

FREE ADMISSION

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026
MARRIOTT ST. LOUIS WEST
12 PM - 5 PM

PROGRAM GUIDE

WIN A Z-PODS BED & OTHER ITEMS!

raffle
A large indoor room with a colorful spiral-patterned carpet on the floor. A person wearing headphones stands in the center of the spiral, surrounded by bean bag chairs with various designs. The room has a plain wall with two closed wooden doors, and
Three women sitting behind a table with Missouri MENTOR branding at an indoor event, surrounded by other booths and attendees. The table displays promotional items such as hats and pens, with a large Missouri MENTOR banner in the background.
A man wearing glasses, a black cap with 'Seattle 2016' written on it, and a maroon shirt with a white logo, holding a smartphone and standing near a marble counter in front of abstract artwork on a beige wall.
At a conference booth for Tobii Dynavox, a woman with brown hair and a navy shirt is smiling and holding a water bottle. The booth displays assistive communication devices on a black table and a large banner with the company's name and slogan. Severa
Children and adults sitting and standing around a large conference table with books and papers in a room with beige walls and a large black screen on the wall.
People standing in a conference room, engaging in conversations and looking at tables with items, with framed pictures on the walls and a patterned carpet.
An indoor event with multiple people engaging around tables and display booths, including a sign that reads 'Lost & Found Meditation,' featuring cushions, blankets, and art supplies, in a large room with brown walls and patterned carpet.
Group photo of people, including children with tricycles, in a conference room with a large white screen.
Audience of diverse individuals seated in rows of chairs in a conference room, attending a presentation or event.
A woman with glasses handing a colorful craft to a girl in a gray hoodie at a booth, with a boy in a maroon coat waiting nearby in an indoor setting with artwork and tables in the background.
A man and boy, both wearing glasses, stand together in a room with artwork on the walls. The man is smiling, and the boy has an expressive look on his face. They are holding hands.
People standing behind a registration table at an event, some interacting with digital devices, with a woman and child in the foreground
People mingling at an indoor event with booths, promotional banners, and informational materials displayed on tables.
A vendor at a craft fair stands behind a table displaying various pet accessories, while two women browse the items, with other shoppers and a child in a stroller in the background.
A young man in a wheelchair smiling and a woman standing next to him, both indoors at a conference or convention. The woman is wearing a maroon sweatshirt with a logo for disability awareness. In the background, there are chairs, two other people, an
A woman with long gray hair wearing a gray t-shirt and black pants standing and talking with a woman sitting behind a booth at an indoor event. The booth displays a banner for St. Louis LIFE, a structured living program, with a table covered in promo
People attending a conference or seminar in a large room, sitting on chairs, with some using electronic devices and a few standing near the door.
A woman wearing glasses and a dress with a crown standing in front of a display table at an event, with other people and tables visible in the background.
Group of five people, including two children in wheelchairs, posing with a mascot at an indoor event. The mascot is a cartoon dog with blue and white fur.
A person petting a golden retriever that is sitting on its hind legs in a conference or event hall with other people and dogs in the background.
A young boy in a red and yellow jacket with glasses sitting on a red tricycle decorated with a red bow, surrounded by a man with a beard and a woman, all smiling indoors.

RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, ENGAGING CONNECTIONS, INCLUSIVE ACTION

The Arya Foundation is thrilled to announce the upcoming Disability Awareness Convention, set to take place on February 22, 2026, in Chesterfield, MO. This groundbreaking event aims to raise awareness and promote the inclusion and accessibility of individuals with disabilities. Under the theme "Empowering Inclusion and Accessibility," the Disability Awareness Convention will convene a diverse group of disability advocates, leaders, experts, and the general public. Through an array of engaging and interactive sessions and vendors, participants will explore innovative strategies, advancements, and best practices for creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all.

ACCESSIBLE EXHIBITS AND PRESENTATIONS

The Disability Awareness Convention will provide a showcase for services and programs that promote accessibility and inclusion. Companies and organizations specializing in inclusive education, services, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities will showcase their latest programs to better help families with special needs. Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with vendors and gather valuable information to improve accessibility in their own workplaces, schools, and communities.

Check out our schedule here!

KNOWLEDGE-SHARING WORKSHOPS AND PANELS

Another highlight of the Convention is the wide range of knowledge-sharing workshops and panels that will be available to attendees. These sessions will cover various aspects of disability awareness, including education, employment, healthcare, technology, and recreational opportunities. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about current legislation related to disability rights and explore how to effectively advocate for change. They will also gain insights into practical strategies for leading more inclusive lives, both individually and within their communities.

A woman with long brown hair smiling and holding a baby in a wheelchair inside a room with large windows.
Three women smiling and engaging in conversation indoors, one wearing a DAC Disability Awareness Convention shirt, with a man partially visible on the left side.
A woman with glasses and a black hat is talking to an older man wearing a hat at a booth with water bottles and promotional materials. The setting appears to be an indoor event or conference.
A woman with glasses and tattoos on her arm is looking at her phone while standing at a booth with various small merchandise items, including wristbands and plush toys, during a daytime event. There is a spinning prize wheel behind her and another wo
A woman with two young boys in a public indoor space, with one boy sitting in a stroller and the other standing beside her, all smiling.
Group of children and adults performing on stage at a charity event, with an audience watching.
A woman with glasses and red hair smiling next to a girl with long curly red hair and a light-colored hoodie, both in an indoor setting with wood-paneled walls.
Four young adults standing behind a promotional table with a large display for Mapable at a conference or event. They are wearing gray T-shirts with the Mapable logo. The table has a laptop, a QR code poster, and brochures, promoting Mapable, a guide
People gathered around a table at an indoor event, looking at artwork or items, with some smiling and others engaged in conversation.
Two women and two young girls with bikes in an indoor setting.
A woman talking to a man seated at a booth at a professional event or conference, with other booths and attendees in the background.
Three people wearing matching navy blue shirts at an indoor event, having a conversation. The woman on the left is holding brochures, and one man is pointing while the other looks on.
Four people, three women and one girl, standing behind a table with jewelry at a booth during an event or convention in a hotel ballroom. The table displays various jewelry pieces in white boxes, and there are banners and other booths in the backgrou
Group of five people, including two children in strollers, standing together in a carpeted indoor space with orange walls. The adults are smiling and holding drinks, and one adult is holding a booklet or brochure.
A child and a person dressed in a Blue's Clues mascot costume playing with balloons in a room with tan walls and carpeted floor.
A red van with a ramp parked in front of a conference center building with American flags.
A smiling man and woman with two children at an indoor event, one child in a wheelchair, in a banquet hall with tables and other guests.
Close-up of a t-shirt with humorous text and icons. The shirt reads 'Human Being' with descriptions about ingredients like intelligence, humor, and bad decisions. It features icons symbolizing fragility, emotional being, love, care, and coffee, and m
At a charity event or fair, a booth displays a large poster of a young girl with a bright smile, featuring the logo for the Arya Foundation. A man and woman are in front of the booth, smiling and engaging with visitors. There is a colorful prize whee
A happy family of three at an indoor event. The father, with a beard and in a flat cap, holds a young boy dressed in colorful clothes. The mother, with dark hair, stands beside them, smiling at the camera.
A man and a woman sitting at a booth table smiling at the camera, with a sign promoting disability pride on their right. The woman is wearing a blue shirt and a mustard-colored sweater, and the man is wearing glasses and a brown long-sleeve shirt.
A man with a beard and two young girls, one in a wheelchair, at an indoor event. The girl in the wheelchair is looking at a device, and the man is smiling beside her. Other people are in the background.
A woman smiling and sitting next to a young man in a wheelchair, in a conference or event hall with other people and display booths in the background.
People walking in a hallway, including children and adults, with one child holding a piece of paper and an adult pushing a stroller.

DONATE

We understand that adaptive equipment is not always accessible. That is why The Arya Foundation, while being 100% volunteer run, is able to use over 90% of individual donations directly towards purchasing and providing need-based adaptive equipment to children with special needs in the St. Louis Region. But we can’t do it without your help. The cost of adaptive equipment is high, making it hard for families to purchase. Here is a list of some equipment, their function, and their average price:

  • Phonak Hearing Aid: $1000+

  • Special Needs Stroller: $940.53

  • Adjustable Hospital Bed: $850.00

  • Nimbo Posterior Walker: $490.80

  • Cranial Molding Helmet: $1000+

  • Special Needs Car Seat: $895.90

  • Bathroom Lift System: $783.00

  • Tomato Glasses: $434.00

  • Novochat 10 Communication Device: $1000+

  • AmTryke 1420 Bike: $858.77

  • Wheelchair Ramp: $600

  • Invacare Solid Full Body Swing: $477.90

This is a small list of what a child could need and it adds up very quickly. The average child with special needs is expected to cost 10x as much to raise as the average child. With your donations, we can work towards making a better future. This is our way of “Turning Challenges into Opportunities.”

A young girl in a wheelchair with a yellow shirt, glasses, and a bib, smiling with an older woman with gray hair, wearing a vest and a gray shirt, standing beside her. A service dog, a Labrador Retriever with a red harness, is sitting next to them. T
Young boy with a wheelchair riding a small red tricycle at an indoor event, smiling and looking forward, with adults nearby and a promotional display in the background.
A woman smiling at a young girl in a wheelchair, both looking at each other affectionately.
A young girl with brown hair and a white hoodie, holding a lollipop in her mouth, appears to be at an indoor event or gathering.
A woman with curly red hair laughing and smiling during a social gathering, with other people blurred in the background.
Man in a business suit talking to two women at a table with informational pamphlets and posters at a conference.
A young girl with a teddy bear jumping on a colorful mat indoors, with several children in wheelchairs and adults nearby in an accessible event or gathering.
A group of children wearing red shirts are at a public event, interacting with adults and holding teddy bears, with displays and other attendees in the background.
A young girl in a blue dress performing a dance on stage during a Disability Awareness Convention, with an audience taking photos.
A woman and a man are having a conversation at a booth displaying informational materials and colorful puzzles, with a banner behind them that reads 'Building Forever Friendships' and features cartoon children.
Two young boys with glasses, one holding a stuffed animal, standing in a busy indoor event with people engaging at tables.
A man and woman engaging in a conversation at a busy event, with the woman gesturing and the man reading papers, others browsing in the background.
Group of women in red shirts performing on stage during an event at a conference room with seated audience
A woman with red braids and glasses wearing a black jacket is talking to a woman in a red jacket at an event booth with teddy bears, brochures, and a soda bottle. Behind them, a large screen displays text about a summer event, and people are seated a
Three people at a table with promotional materials, engaged in conversation at an indoor event.
People sitting in a conference room, attending a presentation or seminar, with a speaker in front of the audience and a projection screen displaying sponsor logos.
A woman holding a sign that says "WOW" during a presentation or workshop, with a banner in the background about the Arya Foundation and turning challenges into opportunities.
Two women smiling at a disability awareness convention. One woman has long red hair and glasses, wearing a black blazer and colorful necklace. The other woman has medium-length dark hair, wearing a blue t-shirt with a name tag that says 'Sunanda'. Th
Group of people engaged in conversation at a booth with informational materials on a green table.
Three people at a table during an event, with a green and black banner behind them that reads 'University Institute'. One woman is standing and smiling, while two others are sitting, including a man in a wheelchair.
A woman and a young man standing together in front of a backdrop with The Arya Foundation logo. The woman is wearing a blue T-shirt, and the young man is wearing a red long-sleeve shirt.
Two women standing at a table with brochures, engaging in conversation with a third person, at an event or fair.
A young girl sitting at a table drawing with markers on a piece of paper.
A young woman wearing glasses and a blue T-shirt speaking into a microphone at a stage during a charity event, with a large screen behind her displaying an announcement for a free raffle every hour at The Arya Foundation booth, and a poster featuring
Girl riding an adult-sized tricycle decorated with a helmet, surrounded by people at an indoor event.
Two women standing in front of a backdrop with 'The Arya Foundation' logo, one in a teal dress and the other in a pink shirt, holding a teddy bear, with a balloon heart shape overhead.
Four young girls and one child holding a small bike and a teddy bear in a room, with a person partially visible on the left side.
Young man with glasses and a blue T-shirt at a disability awareness convention, sticking his tongue out.
A man in a wheelchair speaking at a wheelchair accessibility event, with a banner behind him that reads ''Turning Challenges Into Opportunities'' and the logo of the Arya Foundation.
A smiling man with a gray beard and two young girls sitting on his lap on a blue couch in a room with plain white walls.
A woman giving a presentation at a conference, standing at a podium with a microphone and gesturing with her hand.
A woman giving a presentation in a conference room, standing near a projector screen. There is a poster in the background promoting a foundation for children.