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Clallam County Fair to pilot neurodivergent-accessible trailer, sensory kits and adult changing tables
Summary
Staff announced a beta pilot to make the fair more accessible to neurodivergent attendees, including an upfitted trailer with environmental controls, 50 sensory-inclusive checkout bags, musician‑led quiet programming, and two adult changing tables funded through a county millage; committee discussed security and logistics.
Staff presented a two‑year pilot to expand accessibility at the Clallam County Fair aimed at neurodivergent attendees, and the committee discussed logistics, funding and security for equipment.
A staff member described a plan to place an upfitted trailer at the fair (environmental controls, weighted blankets, white noise and tactile resources) and to maintain a quieter area in the Fine Arts Building with a musician who understands the neurodivergent community. The program will also include 50 sensory‑inclusive checkout bags (noise‑canceling headsets/gun mufflers, communication cards for nonverbal visitors and other tactile supports) available for short‑term checkout.
"We're going to have 50 sensory inclusive bags that they can check out," the staff member said, describing the bags' contents and usage. Staff said they had partnered with a nationwide neurodivergent nonprofit for training and branding and planned to make the trailer available for rent to other events after the pilot.
The program includes two adult changing tables to accommodate adults who need assistance; staff said a single table costs roughly $3,500 and that the purchases are being funded from a county millage dedicated to developmental‑disability programs. The initial funding is described as a two‑year allocation focused this year on capital purchases and setting the program up.
Committee members welcomed the accessibility goal but expressed concerns about security, access and unintended use. One committee member warned about leaving expensive equipment unsecured and asked whether the county could limit access to protect the tables and gear. Staff said legal and operational questions (how to secure a public, accessible facility and maintain legal access rights) will be referred to county experts and that the pilot will be a limited‑scope test day to work out procedures before broader rollout.
Staff estimated a modest ongoing budget need after initial capital purchases, roughly in the mid‑thousands annually depending on rentals and demand, and said the goal is to make the program sustainable by renting equipment to other events. The committee set no formal vote but directed staff to continue refining operational and security plans and to bring more detailed budgets and usage protocols to a future meeting.
