SerpApi.Org
LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) - The Lewis County Fair is in its second year of offering sensory-friendly hours, giving children sensitive to loud noises and flashing lights a chance to enjoy the rides and attractions without the overstimulation.
During the designated hours, music is turned off and lights on the rides are dimmed. The rides keep running — just quieter.
Kelly Lawrence, a fairgoer, said the difference is noticeable.
“It’s a lot more calm and less overload,” Lawrence said.
Families and staff say the hours make a difference
Liberty Vogt, a staff member with South Lewis Summer Recreation, brought kids from her summer program to the fair during sensory-friendly hours.
“I have a little brother with autism, so I thought that was super great, and I’m super excited. Sometimes with like lights and stuff like that, it can be a little overstimulating, or it might just not be the thing for him. The sensory hours, I think that’d be really helpful for him. I think he’d enjoy it a little more than,” Vogt said.
Vogt added that the hours carry value beyond the children they are designed for.
“I think all in all it’s really important and sometimes it’s like a good teaching moment for kids who might not understand it, even just to understand some different things about kids with special needs,” she said.
Foster mom praises fair’s inclusivity
Jordan Shea, foster mother of a boy with autism, said sensory-friendly hours have opened up experiences her son would otherwise have to skip.
“He’s so happy to like go to the next one — that’s normally like blasting loud music that he would never do — now he can do that, and not have to listen to all that noise, so he can enjoy just the fun of being on a ride,” Shea said.
