For families with a child with autism or any individual with sensory sensitivity, heading to the fun-filled Ulster County Fair can be a difficult family outing. That is why Ulster BOCES, in cooperation with representatives from Rondout Valley and Saugerties Central School Districts, the Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL), and the Ulster County Agricultural Society, are collaborating to provide a sensory safe space at the Ulster County Fair this year. The designated room will offer families an opportunity to enjoy a sensory-friendly environment.

“The Fair is fun, but chaotic with the lights, the sounds, and the people all around,” said Dr. Barbara Hastie, Supervisor of Instructional Services for Ulster BOCES, who is spearheading the collection of donations for supplies and coordinating volunteers to staff the Sensory Safe Space.

“Individuals with autism or even people that have general sensory processing difficulties may experience an amplification of lights, sounds, and smells — making the Fair experience really challenging to enjoy,” Hastie noted. “We want to make it possible for these individuals to have a positive experience at the fair.”

Working alongside Hastie is Jaime Churchill, Special Education Coordinator for Rondout Valley Central School District, who is also a board member for the Ulster County Agricultural Society (the group that runs the Ulster County Fair), and Renée Falanga-Brenner from the Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL).

“During some conferences and training, our board members learned about fairs that were working towards meeting the sensory and special needs of their patrons,” explained Churchill. “I advocate for students’ individual needs and focus on equitable practices,” she said. “I got involved in the Fair as a child through the 4-H Youth Development Program and have been volunteering and exhibiting ever since.”

“Even five or ten-minutes away from all the excitement could make a difference for an individual who needs a break. A sensory safe space provides that calm and relaxed atmosphere to give them the reprieve they need, and then allows them to go back out and continue to have fun,” Churchill remarked.

The room will provide respite from bright lights, crowds, and the summer heat and will feature bubble tubes, mats, seating, touch and feel books about animals, a host of noise canceling headphones, and a charging station for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.

For some families, this makes the difference between attending the Fair or not. Kristina Mulligan is the parent of a child who has recently been diagnosed with non-spastic cerebral palsy, and feels that she has to shoulder the burden of making the world accessible and welcoming alone.

“It is common that we end up staying home, which is unfair and isolating,” Mulligan said.

“When you’re a parent of a child with disabilities and/or sensory processing disorder, it feels like you have to say ‘no’ to a lot. An event, like a fair, with crowds and loud noises and so many smells and chaos often feels so out of reach. When the community comes together and does something like this, creates an accommodating space for those who need–and deserve–it, it really does so much. It opens up so many more opportunities for families like mine,” she explained.

“Everyone has the right to be with their peers and enjoy themselves. I’m so grateful to those involved in this project for making strides to create a more inclusive event this year and in the future,” Mulligan said.

The Ulster County Fair runs from August 1 through August 6. The sensory safe space will be open during the entire stretch of the Fair from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

And the Fair is taking it one step further - it will host special sensory hours daily between 10 and 11 a.m. when there will be no rides running. Dreamland Amusements, the vendor who provides the rides, will also offer extended sensory hours on Wednesday, August 2, and Thursday, August 3, between the hours of 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., at which time the rides will be open, but run without lights or sound.

“We’re turning down the sounds. We’re turning down the lights — just trying to make it a little more sensory sensitive for those who get overstimulated a little easier,” added Falanga-Brenner.

At this time, the team is looking for support in furnishing this space. They are currently seeking noise-canceling headphones or monetary donations to help purchase headphones and additional materials needed to prepare the space. “Donations will be so helpful in making the Sensory Safe Space a success,” Hastie said. “Our hope is that over the years this resource will grow into an integral part of the Ulster County Fair experience,” she said.

“Our goal is to be a county that supports families that ‘Think Differently’ and believe that inclusive spaces need to be designed for all,” Hastie said.

To donate or get involved, please reach out to Dr. Barbara Hastie, Ulster BOCES, at (845) 255-1400 or email bhastie@ulsterboces.org.