At the Ohio State Fair, 12 new blue benches are designed to make a familiar fairground pause easier for people using wheelchairs or mobility devices — and help keep families from splitting up when it is time to sit.
The benches are a different height from other seating around the grounds and feature access bars on both sides. The bars are intended to help people transfer from wheelchairs or other mobility devices, while each bench also carries the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities logo, according to WKBN.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities teamed up with Ohio Penal Industries on the project. Incarcerated workers designed, built and installed the benches, creating a public-facing accessibility upgrade that also connects the fairgrounds to a state correctional work-training program.
New Seating Builds On The Fair’s Accessibility Efforts
The Ohio State Fair already promotes accessibility through wheelchair and scooter rentals, accessible seating, an accessible play area, quiet rooms and sensory-friendly programming. The fair’s accessibility information says the grounds are intended to welcome guests with a range of needs, and this year’s fair is currently underway.
Ohio Penal Industries, which operates under the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, describes its programs as workforce training designed around real-world employment skills. Ann King, the bureau chief for Ohio Penal Industries, said the bench project is meant to help families and children throughout Ohio, while OOD Director Kevin Miller said a simple support bar can make a major difference for fairgoers, WKBN reported.
