Accessibility Initiatives for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision at the 2025 Ohio State Fair

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 07/14/2025 09:27 AM EDT

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Accessibility Initiatives for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision at the 2025 Ohio State Fair

The countdown is on for the highly anticipated 2025 Ohio State Fair, which will run from July 23 through August 3, 2025. As excitement builds, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio State Fair are proud to announce their continued commitment to accessibility, including a number of efforts to support individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Stop by OOD's Mobile Unit

Visitors can look forward to a wealth of resources designed to ensure everyone can fully enjoy the fair. Guest information services booths are strategically placed throughout the fairgrounds, offering daily schedules, maps, accessibility guides, and directions. For those seeking additional support, the OOD mobile unit is stationed near the Lausche Youth Exploration Space, providing comprehensive accessibility information.

Diverse OOD staff stand in front of the mobile unit

Glide Demonstration July 31 & August 1

Glidance will be at the OOD mobile unit at the Ohio State Fair on Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 1, from 9-5. Stop by for a chance to hear more and experience Glide with Luke Buckberrough, Glidance Co-Founder and Head of Growth.

Glide is the world’s first autonomous, self-guided, AI-powered mobility aid designed for people who are blind or have low vision. You can learn more at glidance.io.

Aira Available for Free

Through support from OOD and the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, fairgoers who are blind or have low vision can use Aira to connect, for free, to a remote agent via a smart device. The agent can locate users through GPS, help access visual information (which is especially helpful for navigating a large, unfamiliar area), and direct them to places of interest.

Personal Companion or Sighted Guide Tickets

The Ohio State Fair will provide a complimentary ticket for any paid admission or experience to a caregiver or sighted guide accompanying a guest with a disability in order to provide assistance during their visit. Eligibility is subject to verification, which may involve providing appropriate documentation or self-certification in accordance with ADA guidelines.

Companion tickets are reserved for individuals who have disability-related needs, which may include—but is not limited to—support with mobility, communication, orientation, or medical needs.

Please note: Companion tickets are generally not issued for children under the age of 16. All children must be under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times while in our venues, in accordance with our unaccompanied minor policy.

Tickets can be requested using this Google Docs link.

Audio Descriptions

Enhance your experience at the Fair with audio descriptions for select buildings and exhibits. These descriptions provide accurate details and narration to make the exhibits more accessible for visitors who are blind or have low vision. To access the audio descriptions, simply download the official Ohio State Fair mobile app and look for the "Audio Descriptions" section. Here you'll find a list of available audio narrations.

Service Animals

Service animals, defined as those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, are welcome to attend the Fair. Service animal relief areas with waste receptacles will be available on the Rhodes Center Lawn, in Central Park, and in Natural Resources Park (use this link to access the Fair’s map). Fairgoers attempting to bring non-service animals into the Fair, including emotional support, comfort, therapy, companion, and all other animals not included in the scope of service animals, will be asked to remove those animals from the Fair for the safety of all guests and the pets. Pets are not permitted on the grounds during the Fair with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition or competition (such as livestock and 4-H events).

Learn More

Discover more at the Ohio State Fair’s accessibility webpage. For questions, reach out to info@expo.ohio.gov or call 614-644-3247.

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Programs provided by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) are funded, in whole or in part, with federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), OOD received 78.7% of its funding through the DOE VR grant. In Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024, OOD received $166,384,030 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $45,031,510. Of these federal funds, $24,957,605 is set aside for Pre-ETS.

For purposes of the Works 4 Me program, OOD received 100% of its funding through the DOE Disability Innovation Fund grant. In FFY 2024, OOD received $716,175 for this program.

For purposes of the Supported Employment (SE) Program, the DOE SE grant funded 90% of the costs for the Supported Employment for Youth with a Disability Program up to the grant amount and 100% of the costs of regular Supported Employment program costs up to the grant amount. In FFY 2024, OOD received $593,853 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $65,984 of the total costs. In FFY 2024, OOD received $593,853 in regular SE grant funds.

For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2024 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2024, OOD received $1,166,389 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $129,599 of the total costs incurred under the OIB program. For purposes of the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant received from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2024. In FFY 2024, OOD received $646,297 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $71,811 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.