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    Champaign County Fair to become more inclusive

    By Will Simmons,

    22 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Wr9z5_0ulcbLH400

    URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Fairgrounds board will be holding a meeting next month to hear about the needs of people with disabilities.

    County fair organizers said it could include a sensory-friendly area or a place of respite from the sights and sounds of the fair, but they’re still working out details with the community.

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    “We are going to come to them with some different concerns and thoughts that we have to make this a more sensory and family friendly event for those with disabled individuals,” said CU Autism Network’s Executive Director Julie Duvall.

    A few days into the Champaign County fair this summer, an online post caught the attention of Duvall. She saw that a person with special needs had a trying experience with security.

    “While there was an issue, the way it was handled afterwards, I could not have asked for any better.”

    Duvall brought it up to Terry Lemke, the fairground’s president.

    “As soon as it was made aware to us, we definitely we reached right back out to Julie and her group and said, let’s meet,” he said.

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    The two used the criticism to come together, working for a common goal.

    Lemke said making the fair more inclusive was something he’d been thinking about after talking to a friend.

    “(He) talked about how Six Flags has a, like, sensory area down there for autistic children, other disabilities,” he said.

    The Champaign County Fairground’s board will meet with the CU Autism Network and CU Able to talk about plans next month.

    Duvall said people can submit requests on both group’s Facebook pages.

    “They can come to us with their concerns,” she said. “We’ve already talked to Terry and one of the board members about some of them.”

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    Some changes may include security training with a focus on people with special needs or a sensory-friendly area. A lot of ideas are on the table.

    Paying for them is a concern since the fair is run by a non-profit, but Lemke said along with booking acts and rides for next year, it’s their top priority.

    “We’re here for the community as a whole, not just, you know, one person or another,” Lemke said. “We want to make sure everybody, you know, can come out, have a good time, enjoy the fair.”

    The fair is supported by sponsors, but they may look for sponsors specifically to cover special needs costs.

    Duvall said the sensory museum used during the county’s Fourth of July celebration cost about $3,000.

    Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.

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