NEWS RELEASE: Expanded Accessibility Efforts Announced for the 2026 Ohio State Fair, July 29–August 9

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 07/21/2026 09:00 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

For Immediate Release

July 21, 2026

Media Contact

Kim Jump: 614-623-2209

Expanded Accessibility Efforts Announced for the 2026 Ohio State Fair, July 29–August 9

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—With the 2026 Ohio State Fair opening July 29 and running through August 9, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio State Fair are unveiling expanded accessibility features so every guest can enjoy the experience fully and independently.

A diverse group is cutting the ribbon and throwing confetti at the entrance of the Ohio State Fair. Text: A Fair for Everyone!

Visitors can look forward to a variety of resources designed to ensure everyone can fully enjoy the Fair. Visit the Ohio State Fair’s accessibility webpage or app ahead of time for essential information. Upon arrival, guest information services booths offer daily schedules, maps, and directions. For those seeking additional support, the OOD mobile services unit is stationed near the Lausche Youth Exploration Space and provides comprehensive accessibility information.

“The Ohio State Fair is a place where everyone should feel welcome and enjoy everything our state has to offer,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The new accessibility features at this year’s Fair reflect our commitment to ensuring every fairgoer can fully experience all the Fair has to offer.”

"The Ohio State Fair brings people together in a way few events can," said OOD Director Kevin L. Miller. "Our goal is to ensure every visitor has the support they need to enjoy the Fair, and we’re proud to continue expanding these opportunities with our partners.”

New this year, six universal changing tables are available in restrooms and include an adult-sized adjustable table in a clean, safe, and private area. The tables are designed to meet the personal care needs of people with disabilities and medical conditions.

Also new this year, six complimentary accessible shuttles will operate throughout all parking lots and areas across the grounds. Blue accessible benches will be located throughout the property and equipped with a sturdy access bar and transfer space for people who use mobility devices.

A quiet room in the new Ohio Showcase Building has been designed to enable individuals to manage their sensory needs. In addition, a second quiet room will be available at the Celeste Center during concert events, offering a close and more convenient option for concertgoers.

OOD partnered with the Fair to provide complimentary power mobility device charging stations throughout the grounds. The stations are located in the Ohio Showcase Building, Bricker MarketPlace Building, Kasich Hall, the Lausche Youth Exploration Space, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park pavilion, Ohio Ag Center, the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center, and the WCOL Celeste Center.

Also made available with support from OOD, fairgoers who are blind or have low vision can use Aira Explorer to connect, for free, to a remote agent via a smart device. The agent can locate users through GPS, help access visual information (which can be helpful for navigating a large, unfamiliar area), and guide them to places of interest.

For fairgoers whose preferred method of communication is American Sign Language (ASL), interpreting will be offered at these events, with no reservations required: the Fair’s opening ceremony on July 29, Natural Resources Park Paul Bunyon (lumberjack) show, Pig Races, several shows at the Gazebo, and for all ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center. For a complete schedule of interpreted events, visit the ASL Interpretation webpage or check out the Fair’s daily schedule.

In collaboration with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and OOD’s Accessible Ohio program, the Ohio State Fair is turning down the lights and volume to host an extended sensory-friendly day on Thursday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fairgoers will have an opportunity to ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair’s educational activities, participate in sensory-friendly programming, and explore many activities in the shade of the Natural Resources Park. “On sensory-friendly day, we create an experience that increases access and belonging. When everyone can share in the experience and feel welcomed, that’s where real community begins,” said Shawn Henry, OCALI Executive Director. Find more information and resources on OCALI’s sensory-friendly day webpage.

“The Ohio State Fair is a showcase of the very best of Ohio, and we want every visitor to have the chance to enjoy its traditions, entertainment, and experiences,” said Adam Heffron, Executive Director of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. “Through improvements supported by the Expo 2050 Master Plan project, we are excited to introduce additional accessibility features across the facility at this year’s Fair. Accessibility remains a priority as we continue to enhance the Fairgrounds to ensure all guests can comfortably and confidently enjoy the Fair experience.”

Additional accessibility efforts at the Ohio State Fair include the following:  

Ample accessible parking spaces
Accessible buildings and restrooms
Communication boards for fairgoers with communication needs, including those who do not use speech, 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 (for accessible seats, select the “filters” button, then toggle on the “accessibility” button to see)
Free assistive listening devices are available for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage, Ohio Lottery Gazebo Stage, Kasich Hall B (Creative Arts Stage), Brown Arena, Cooper Arena, Taft Coliseum, O'Neill Arena, and Voinovich Arena. These can be picked up at WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage, and Ohio Lottery Gazebo Stage
Audio descriptions for select buildings and exhibits are available within the Ohio State Fair app
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 water bottle filling stations at Kasich Hall, Lausche Youth Exploration Space, Bricker MarketPlace, Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center, Ag Pro Coliseum, and WCOL Celeste Center (open only during concerts)
Accessible play area at the Natural Resources Park
Accessible picnic tables throughout the Fair

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

Note to editor: Working members of the media must enter the Fair through the Media Center located on 11^th Avenue, just west of the OHIO Gate. Parking and admission credentials are available at the Media Center upon arrival. Please review the on-site guidelines, and if your station/publication has not already done so, please register staff members who will be working the Fair by completing the form on the Media Registration page at ohiostatefair.com/media-registration, or by sending a list of staff members to the Public Relations office at media@expo.ohio.gov.

About OOD

OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence.

###

Follow OhioOOD

Manage Preferences

Request Help

Unsubscribe

Help us support more individuals with disabilities by forwarding this email.

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) 2025, OOD received $177,897,297 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the state covered 21.3% of the total costs, or $48,147,553. Of these federal funds, $26,684,595 is set aside for Pre-ETS.

For purposes of the Works4Me Program, OOD received 100% of its funding through the DOE Disability Innovation Fund grant. In FFY 2025, OOD received $1,793,225 for this Program.

For purposes of the Supported Employment (SE) Program, the DOE SE grant funded 90% of the costs for this Program up to the grant amount and 100% of the costs of the regular Supported Employment Program up to the grant amount. In FFY 2025, OOD received $446,137 for SE Youth with a Disability, and state-appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $49,571 of the total costs. In FFY 2025, OOD received $446,137 in regular SE grant funds.

For purposes of the Independent Living Services Older Blind (ILOB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2025 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the Program. In FFY 2025, OOD received $1,129,124 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the state paid the 10% required match, or $125,458 of the total costs incurred under the ILOB Program. For purposes of the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant received from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2025. In FFY 2025, OOD received $640,682 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the state paid the 10% required match, or $71,187 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.