COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Fair is meant to entertain people, and the fair and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) are working to make sure that entertainment can be shared by as many people as possible.
There will be charging stations for wheelchairs/mobility devices, remote agents to help people who are blind or have low vision navigate, ASL interpreters and more. If you need more information, visit OOD’s mobile unit by the Lausche Youth Exploration Space.
"Ohio is the heart of it all, and we want people of all abilities to be able to enjoy everything our great State Fair has to offer,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in an OOD press release. “The Ohio State Fair provides a wealth of supports for individuals with disabilities, and this year our goal is to make it the most enjoyable yet for every person who comes through the gates."
The mobility device charging stations can be found in at the following places:
- Bricker MarketPlace Building
- Kasich Hall
- The Lausche Youth Exploration Space
- Natural Resources Park pavilion
- Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center
- WCOL Celeste Center
“The Ohio State Fair offers a rejuvenating break from work and our daily routine,” OOD Director Kevin Miller said in the release. “Since fairgoers usually spend the entire day on the grounds, it’s important that charging stations are available to sustain wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices.”
OOD also worked with the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, according to the release, to provide those are blind or have low vision with Aira. That’s an app that describes itself as able to connect “people who are blind or low vision to professional visual interpreters for secure access to visual information, anytime, anywhere.”
It works via GPS, and these remote agents can help these fairgoers get to where they’re going.
American Sign Language interpreters will be present at the following events, according to OOD:
- Ohio State Fair opening ceremony on July 24
- Sale of Champions Livestock Auction on August 4
- Natural Resources Park Great Lakes Timber (lumberjack) shows
- Marvelous Mutts shows at The Dog House
- Ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center
There will be other, daily scheduled events with ASL interpretation as well, according to the release.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 25, the fair will also have a “sensory-friendly morning.” That means rides with no flashing lights or music as well as educational activities and more.
“On sensory-friendly morning, the sights, sounds, and stimuli are reduced to enable individuals to experience our incredible State Fair in a way that helps them feel more comfortable and engaged,” said Shawn Henry, OCALI Executive Director, in the release.
There will also be two “adjustable-height universal changing tables” at the fair, one at the First Aid Center and the other at the Ag Pro Taft Coliseum family restroom.
“At the Ohio State Fair, we believe that accessibility is not just a checkbox; it's a continuous journey of improvement and inclusivity,” said Adam Heffron, Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds executive director, in the release. “We’re dedicated to building upon our existing accessibility efforts, working diligently to create an environment that is welcoming and accessible to all."
Finally, OOD also includes a list of other accessibility efforts being made at the fair this year:
- Ample accessible parking spaces
- Accessible buildings and restrooms
- Motorized scooter and non-motorized wheelchair rentals
- A Quiet Room situated just east of Central Park, equipped to provide sensory relief
- Communication boards for fairgoers who are nonverbal, available at all guest information services booths and on the Ohio State Fair accessibility webpage, featuring Fair-specific symbols to facilitate navigation and encourage exploration of Fair offerings
- Accessible seats for concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center can be purchased at the same cost directly from Ticketmaster (to view accessible seats, click the “filters” button, then toggle on the “accessibility” button to see)
- Free assisted listening devices for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage presented by Ohio Lottery, and Wellcare Gazebo Stage
- Audio descriptions for select exhibits and attractions, available within the Ohio State Fair app
- Art Possible Ohio exhibit in Kasich Hall C, featuring artwork by Ohio artists with disabilities
- Service animal relief areas with pick-up bags and waste receptacles at the Rhodes Center Lawn, Central Park, and Natural Resources Park
- Designated accessible seating at additional stages
- Accessible play area at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park
- Accessible picnic tables throughout the Fair
The Ohio State Fair starts on July 24 and runs through Aug. 4.