Fair board, MCBDD partner on programs to welcome visitors of all abilities
MCBDD
The Medina County Fair and the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) are expanding their partnership this year with new accessibility and inclusion initiatives designed to help more people enjoy everything the fair has to offer.
The efforts build on the success of Fair Friends, an annual event held before fair week that gives children with developmental disabilities and their families the opportunity to experience the fairgrounds in a smaller, less crowded setting.
New this year is Sensory Sunday Morning, which will feature reduced noise, limited flashing lights and a calmer atmosphere for individuals who may be overwhelmed by the traditional fair environment.
Sensory Fun Friday on Aug. 7 will include activities, games and entertainment designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. A sensory bus also will be available that day, providing a quiet place for families to take a break from the sights, sounds and activity of the fair.
Throughout fair week, MCBDD and the Medina County Fair Board will provide a fully accessible mobile restroom for individuals with disabilities, older adults, veterans and others with mobility or personal care needs.
Fairgoers also will have access to sensory kits, communication boards and social stories to help prepare for and navigate the fair. The resources are intended to reduce barriers and make the fair more comfortable for individuals with sensory sensitivities or communication challenges.
Accessibility efforts also extend to the Junior Fair. Using MobiMats, individuals with limited mobility will be able to partner with Junior Fair Board members during a special Fair Friends livestock show on Aug. 7.
Many of the initiatives were developed through a partnership between the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Junior Fair Board Adviser Becky Gall.
"We are incredibly proud of the collaboration between the Medina County Senior Fair Board, Medina County Jr. Fair Board and the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities," Gall said. "Together, we are creating a fair experience where individuals with developmental differences and their families feel welcomed, included and valued."
Gall said the partnership also is giving Junior Fair Board members valuable life experiences.
"Just as importantly, our Jr. Fair Board members are building meaningful relationships and learning the importance of inclusion and community," she said. "These experiences will have a lasting impact, helping ensure that our fair remains a place where everyone can participate, belong and enjoy this wonderful community tradition together."
MCBDD Superintendent Stacey Maleckar said the Junior Fair Board has made inclusion a priority rather than an afterthought.
"The Medina County Junior Fair Board didn't just make changes to the fair – they are making people feel welcome," Maleckar said. "Their willingness to listen, learn and find new ways to include people of all ages and all abilities shows the kind of community we all want to be a part of."
Maleckar said the board's commitment is allowing more families to experience the fair together.
"Thanks to the Junior Fair Board's dedication to accessibility and inclusion, more families can enjoy the fair together and create memories that will last a lifetime," she said. "Their leadership is making a real difference."
Fair officials and MCBDD leaders said the goal is to ensure the Medina County Fair continues to be an event that welcomes everyone by providing accommodations that allow people of all ages and abilities to participate comfortably and confidently.
For more information about the accessibility programs, contact the Medina County Fair Office at 330-723-9633 or [email protected].