Speaker 1 00:00:53 And greetings, thank you for joining disability and progress, where we bring you insights into ideas about and discussions on disability topics. My name is Sam. I'm the host of this show. Thanks so much for tuning in Charlene doll is my research woman. Hey Charlene, are you there? Hi, I'm here. The clocks are going off. Oh my gosh. Um, and tonight, oh, before we get into, though, I want to remind everyone that I will be taking August off, but please keep tuning in because if you haven't heard, we'll be playing some of the greatest shows that we have done this year. Um, so I encourage you to tune into that. We also are podcasted so, um, you can drop in and with your smart speaker or anything that can listen to podcasts and go on there. We have lots of them up. Thank you, Erin. We also welcome your, your topics of discussion. And if you wanna be on our email list, you may email me at disability and progress all written out at Sam, jasmine.com. All right, now let's get into it tonight. We are speaking with two people, Don Bentley. Don is the executive director for the Minnesota fringe. Who's going to be talking about fringe accessibility and all things, fringe and Jill Boone. And Jill will be talking about state fair accessibility and Jill, I didn't quite know your, your title. I apologize.
Speaker 0 00:02:24 That's okay. I am the accessibility coordinator.
Speaker 1 00:02:27 Ha easy. I love easy like that.
Speaker 0 00:02:30 Yes.
Speaker 1 00:02:31 You know, there's just not enough of that.
Speaker 0 00:02:33 <laugh> it's so true.
Speaker 1 00:02:36 Okay. So let's start out by I oh and hi Don. Hi. Thanks for coming in. I, I had this. Oh. And before we start, I have this kind of trick thing that I'm going to do to both of you just to make your brain start working. Um, happy ADA anniversary, everybody. It's the 32nd anniversary. It was actually the 26th, but this is as close as we're gonna get today. And I was wondering if I could just borrow both of your brains because I actually don't know if either one of you have a disability because you could have a hidden disability. A lot of people do and they don't talk about it for, um, very real reasons or you may not, but being two people with a vision who may or may not have a disability, I wonder if you might just tell me a line or something of what the ADA means to you guys.
Speaker 3 00:03:35 Um, I can start here. This is Don Bentley. Excellent. Um, yeah, I can only hear out of one ear. And so while I, uh, I guess I would consider myself hearing impaired. Yeah. And what, um, accessibility does for me and the ADA does for me is I have a lot more options to see open and closed captions than I think I would have without it. And it is very helpful. I always watch TV with the closed captions on, and if I can see, uh, a theatrical performance with open captioning, I will opt for that because it's much easier for me, especially if there's singing in certain registers or accents, ah, or any sort of, um, white noise. Um, then yeah, it just makes it a lot easier for me. And something that has been difficult for the last couple of years is I read lips. And when people are wearing masks, it's very difficult. Gosh, for me. Oh my gosh. Yes. To, to see, gosh, I had no idea what they are saying because I, I didn't realize how heavily I had relied on reading lips until I didn't have that opportunity anymore.
Speaker 1 00:04:41 Wow. Well thank you for sharing. I did not know that about you and I appreciate you sharing that, Jill.
Speaker 0 00:04:48 Yes, this is Jill Boone and, um, I do not have a disability, but I will say my husband recently broke his leg. And so I have been getting some second hand experience in helping to make his world more accessible, um, until he heals. And so I feel like that's given me a different view. Um, I will say however, we, um, my husband and I both use captioning whenever we can on TV. And I always prefer that theatrical shows with that as well. And so the, a DEA, even as an able bodied person makes life, um, easier. And, but, but in that same sense, I've just always been so passionate about trying to make the world more accessible for more people. And so I feel like the ADA really helps drive that and gives us good guidance in how to make, um, everyday life more accessible.
Speaker 1 00:05:51 Thank you. Both of you. I, I really like hearing that. I, I usually tell people, you know, when they argue about making things accessible, that it is an extra step that if it's good for a certain quadrant of disabilities, it's almost always good for the whole mm-hmm
Speaker 3 00:06:10 <affirmative> agreed.
Speaker 1 00:06:12 So agreed. Thank you very much. I'd like to start out if it's okay with, uh, fringe and then we'll come back to you, Jill. Um, sounds great. But Don, why don't I start out with, for those who haven't been here and, and, and most you, you had been doing this for a run for a while. Um, we, I, I want you to tell what the fringe is, and I know that the fringe does happen in like it's not just in Minnesota, it's a kind of a traveling thing, but give us a little explanation if you would.
Speaker 3 00:06:46 Sure. Well, this is actually the 75th year of the fringe movement, which started in Edinburg Scotland 1947 when there was a performing arts festival in certain artists wanted to be a part of that festival, but they were not deemed worthy. They felt what they had to offer was still interesting. So they set up around the outskirts of town and performed anyway, and soon, many people were flocking to their performances on the fringe of the actual festival. And that's how the fringe movement began. Um, now there are fringes all over the world. And in fact, this year, my I and my staff were lucky to attend the world fringe Congress, because it was in the United States this year mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, and it happens every couple of years in places all over the world. Um, but there are fringes in north America. There is a unit United States association of fringe festivals.
Speaker 3 00:07:40 There's a Canadian association of fringe festivals, and then there's just fringe fringes all over the world. Uh, Minnesota fringe started in 1993. This is our 29th annual event. And even though we just went through, uh, two years of the pandemic, we were still able to put on an event every year virtually, and then last year it was a hybrid event, but we're very thrilled to be back in theaters, 100% in person this year for our 29th year. Um, we started as a very small festival with like 52 performances. This year, we will have 595 performances over 115 shows in 11th theaters. Um, August four through 14th, all of our theaters are in Minneapolis and they vary in sizes from as small as 60 to as large as 500. And we have performers coming from all over the world to be a part of a, our fringe festival. And of course the beautiful cadre of local artists that are right here in the twin cities and in greater Minnesota that are always a part of our festival. Cool. What makes a fringe a fringe is that it is not juried or curated. Ah, our fringe is selected by lottery. So it is literally you apply to be in the fringe with whatever idea you might have, and you don't even have to have an idea at the time and we select you by random lottery. And if you are selected, then you're in our festival.
Speaker 1 00:09:06 How long are the shows? Usually
Speaker 3 00:09:07 The shows this year will be 50 minutes. It's slightly shorter than in the past. They've always been less than 60 minutes, but we have, uh, buffered a little extra time in between shows, uh, to sort of space people out and get people processed as this is our first time in three years that we've been in person. So in between shows, you'll have 40 minutes to move from one theater to another. And people often do go to multiple shows throughout the day. It's affordable. It's, there's a variety of genres that you'll see all kinds of things on our stages that you might not see anywhere else and, uh, performers that you might not see doing something that they would normally do on a different stage. They are here to experiment. We really are a laboratory of artistic experimentation for artists.
Speaker 1 00:09:56 I wound curious, um, I know you're executive director and everything, but what was your first experience with a fringe?
Speaker 3 00:10:06 Actually, I think my first fringe experience was 1994 as a audience member. And I was a, uh, still in college at the time. And this was the way that I could afford to see theater because it's very inexpensive. I don't recall what the price was then, but even, you know, flash forward 28 years, it's only $15 to see a, a fringe show. If you pay full price. Of course we have discount opportunities in multi show passes, but $15 is an affordable price.
Speaker 1 00:10:42 So you talked a little bit about how the fringe works, that you it's a lottery mm-hmm <affirmative> and you, when do, do you start seeing things come in for the next fringe?
Speaker 3 00:10:53 So typically we open our call for artists in the early winter and they, they will submit, um, we advertise with other fringes, of course, in, in open calls to any kind of artists, there's a fringe circuit, so to speak where some artists just travel around from one fringe to another <laugh>, um, and they will come back year after year. And then our local artists are very aware of Minnesota fringe as an incubation area for plays their writing or shows they wish to produce. Um, that may end up being a full length production at some point, but this is a great place to test things out.
Speaker 1 00:11:31 Wait, they come back year after, after year, but there's not a guarantee they'll get
Speaker 3 00:11:34 In, right? There's not a guarantee there get in, there are some advantages. So if you're a touring artist, which is anyone outside of the 11 county Metro mm-hmm <affirmative>, you can apply through our touring artist's lottery. And we reserve 10% of our, uh, slots for people who are touring because we know how tough it is to build a tour. That makes sense. So it's, we give you, uh, basically two chances to get in through the touring lottery and then this year, um, in really in response to all that happened after George Floyd and, and some of the introspective time that we had over the pandemic, we created a, an equity lottery. So if you are from a traditionally marginalized, uh, population, like if you are a bipo artist or choreographer producer, we created an equity lottery so that you would also get a second chance to be in our festival.
Speaker 3 00:12:26 So once those 20% of the slots are filled, then everybody, um, everyone else's numbers are drawn. And, um, so sometimes it is like a one in three chance to get into the festival. Um, this year was a little higher chance because I think some artists are not, uh, maybe producing yet. They're not quite ready to get back into the theater. So you had a little better chance, like one in two chance. Um, but yeah, it's, it's still a risk and, but once you're here and our audience falls in love with you, they wait for you to come back and they're very, very loyal and they'll come see you again.
Speaker 1 00:13:03 So you said there's like 500 and some shows this year
Speaker 3 00:13:08 Is 595, um, performances of over 115 different shows.
Speaker 1 00:13:14 Ah, okay. 115 different shows mm-hmm <affirmative>. So does that is how does that range generally from like past years, what's been your BI biggest
Speaker 3 00:13:24 Year? I think our largest year was somewhere around 130 shows and 700 plus production or performances. Um, so it's a little bit smaller, but not, not tremendously smaller. Um, and, and there's the maximum number of shows that any one patron can see is 55. So you still are, you won't be able to see the entire fringe festival in 11 days. Um, and it that's a challenge in and of itself to create a schedule where you can maximize the number of shows that you see, not just for, uh, patrons, but also for patrons who are using accessibility services, because we have quite a few shows where services are provided.
Speaker 1 00:14:08 So how do you decide how many shows you're going to allow in?
Speaker 3 00:14:13 Um, we have a schedule, uh, kind of a grid that we can put, um, 11, 11 different shows. Each show has five performances into one theater. So it sort of depends on how many theaters we can grab onto in the fall. When I, when I, uh, start booking theaters and it sometimes, you know, it works out that we can get all of the theaters that we ask for. But what we're looking to do is cluster theaters into a hub so that when somebody comes to the fringe festival, they can park their car. And they're within walking distance, yes. From many different theaters, or if they're using public transportation, um, they can, they, once they get into that hub, they can just walk from one theater to another. This year, we have a partnership with, um, Metro transit, where you can download free passes to use from any Metro transit line on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. So you can get to the fringe for free. And then we also have a partnership with nice ride. So if you are a nice ride user and they have those new e-bikes and those scooters and regular bikes that you can get between, um, fringe shows with, I think there's, you get 3 45 minute rides for free with a code that's on our website.
Speaker 1 00:15:34 Cool. So let's talk about audio description, ASL and caption. Yeah. So each of them, I, I'm going to do a little presumption that, that most people that is listening to the show know kind of what it is, but basically outta your description, they tell you what's going on in the play that you have a little headset, ASL is American sign language interpreting, um, explain caption a little more because you'll probably explain it better than I would
Speaker 3 00:16:06 Open captioning is, is there's actually a machine that we put in the theater and we ask the artist to provide a script for us so that you can read the script as the show is progressing. And, uh, we have several of each of those, uh, performances. And then I will also note that we, we have marked performances that are non-verbal or dance only mm-hmm <affirmative> so they can be enjoyed, uh, by people who have hearing impairment, because they don't necessarily need to follow a dialogue or a dialogue. Isn't the main part of the show, or, or they can just watch the dance.
Speaker 1 00:16:45 Is everything audio described, ASL or captioned?
Speaker 3 00:16:49 Yeah. Uh, not every show in the festival, but there are particular performances. And on our website at Minnesota fringe.org/access, you'll be able to see a list of all the services and all the shows that are provided as well as a list of all the non-verbal shows available to you. And those non-verbal shows each have at least five performances so that you can make a pretty robust schedule for yourself, uh, whether you're seeing audio described shows, um, or you're going to shows with ASL interpretation or shows with open captioning.
Speaker 1 00:17:25 Is there a specific, like if somebody wanted to see a show that wasn't being accessible, mm-hmm <affirmative> at that time, could they request it, or how does that work?
Speaker 3 00:17:35 I think that's fair that they should send an email if possible, to
[email protected]. And we have done that. We have worked with patrons who have a particular interest in, in one show and we, we, we will do our best to find an interpreter, a describer for them. Um, even even part way through the festival. We have a, a very loyal set of folks who are describers and interpreters that have worked with us for a few years now. And, um, they've been very helpful in that, uh, that they would be flexible if we can fit it into our schedule.
Speaker 1 00:18:13 That's really cool. Mm-hmm <affirmative> so how, um, how many theaters did you say you have that are involved?
Speaker 3 00:18:21 We have 11 theaters involved and there is description ASL or captioning at, I think almost every single theater. I think our two smallest theaters, we didn't, because it's harder to do that, but we, we, uh, we're doing our best to have it available. There are two hubs right here in the Cedar Riverside area. There's a cluster of seven theaters, Uhhuh <affirmative> and in the uptown area, there's a cluster of four theaters.
Speaker 1 00:18:50 So on your theaters now, as you know, we talked about a little bit that the guidelines, or at least policies that people are doing for shows change, it feels like it feels like constant. So what are your policies for in regards to COVID and theater going? Mm-hmm
Speaker 3 00:19:13 <affirmative> our, our goal this year was to be a 100% vaccinated festival. Uh, we set that rule up last fall before we, um, opened up our call for artists. And we do have a C policy on our website and people are welcome to go check that out for all of the, the nitty gritty details on that. Um, we are asking folks to come ready to show a vaccine card, and we are encouraging audiences to bring and wear a mask. We are not mandating that at that at this point. Um, as I mentioned, we were lucky to receive a generous donation of can 95 masks for our staff and artists and volunteers. Um, but our budget didn't allow for us to provide that for up to 35 to 40,000 audience members. Ah, yes. So, uh, we're encouraging people to bring their own and really we support wherever you're at with this.
Speaker 3 00:20:11 If our policies are not as strict as your own personal ES policies are for yourself, we fully support anyone who needs to take extra precautions because, um, you know, with 35, 40,000 people, everyone's got their own story. And we wanna honor that, um, we're asking people to be honest, we have step by step guidelines in our COVID guidelines. If you were exposed, what should you do? And if our staff or volunteers or exposed the steps that they need to take in order to keep everyone safe, the actors are putting themselves at risk by getting on a stage and their tool. There is their body, their right, their, um, livelihood is made from their body and what they do on a stage. So we are, um, you know, very cautious and, um, maybe more cautious than some other theater spaces, but we are maneuvering a lot of people in and out of our festival spaces. And we want everyone to come away from the fringe festival, feeling supported and feeling safe and, um, and just really concentrating on the art that's being made and, and not, um, the, the frightening time that we've been through in the last two years, without it.
Speaker 1 00:21:32 Have you done anything different with seating numbers?
Speaker 3 00:21:36 No, we are. We are allowed to go to capacity in all of our theaters. Um, and I have a feeling that, you know, if this, if a, a theater isn't completely full people may, may choose to sit distance, but we are not limiting capacity at this point.
Speaker 1 00:21:54 And so we talked a little bit, or you mentioned briefly how this was the first time in three years. Did you say yes. Um, that you were, that you met via, uh, virtual yes. With co with, um, the fringe. How did you do
Speaker 3 00:22:10 That? Well, the first year, you know, uh, uh, COVID really ramped up here in Minnesota and I wanna say about April of 2020, and our festival was coming in August. And so we did not have very much time to pivot. Um, and we found, uh, several artists who have been loyal fringe, um, artists for many, many years who were willing to broadcast on a variety of platforms. Mm-hmm <affirmative>, we didn't mandate what the platform was because there just really wasn't time for something, somebody to learn something new. So it was on Twitch, it was on Facebook live, it was on YouTube. Um, but people just put on these little shows, some artists, uh, said, you know, I sort of lost hope and despair in the time of COVID. And this gave me a reason to do something, to do something different and to stretch myself, which is exactly what fringe is all about is providing a platform for artists to do something, uh, new or experimental, or just hone the skills that they have the second year, which was 2021. We, we did decide to do a more uniform presentation and we had over a hundred performances and we also allowed artists who wanted to, um, produce in their own space. And that space could be outside in a park or outside at a museum or in a theater if they so chose. Um, so we did have some in person performances and many, many, many performances on YouTube. Some of them were live and some were recorded.
Speaker 1 00:23:47 Now, were you able to charge for those, or how did that, how did that
Speaker 3 00:23:50 Work? Right? The first year we did not charge for anything. It was all free, but we were in a very, uh, robust fundraising campaign, right. Because, uh, Minnesota fringe, more than half of our budget comes from the festival. So not having a festival and finding out you're not gonna have a festival halfway through your fiscal year. Yeah. Put us in. That's good. It put us in a precarious position. Um, and you know, the artists that rallied around us and the, and the people that rallied around us, we were able to raise a hundred thousand dollars in a very short amount of time, and that really saved the fringe. Um, and then the following year, we did some retooling of our website so that we were able to charge a modest amount for tickets so that we could pay every artist in the festival. And that truly is our goal is to pay artists, artists receive 70% of every ticket. So if you buy a ticket to see an artist on stage, know that 70% of that ticket is going directly into the pocket of the artist. And so while our festival is large, um, know that every artist on those stages are going to receive a check for their work and for their creative ability.
Speaker 1 00:24:57 I wonder if you've thought it seems like right now this time is so fluid. It changes from one month to the next sometimes mm-hmm, <affirmative> have you guys thought about as well as live, doing both live and virtual to see if you could gather those people that maybe are uncomfortable coming in now, but would definitely do the virtual thing.
Speaker 3 00:25:23 Okay. Sam, I'm gonna tell you and your, your listener's a secret <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:25:28 I got it outta you. You
Speaker 3 00:25:29 Did. So we have offered the artists in our festival, the opportunity to record their show with the professional videographer Uhhuh. And then we're gonna open up a call to do a digital fringe, that something we're gonna call the fringe hangover in, in the fall.
Speaker 3 00:25:47 Excellent. So for those people who are frustrated by only being able to see 55 of the more than 115 shows, don't worry, you may have another chance to see it digitally this fall. Um, so when we did both live and in person performances last year, we found that the competition between the two, uh, gave an unfair advantage to the live performers. Mm. So we still want to invite people from all over the world to be a part of our fringe, right. We just don't want to compete, live and digital. Ah, so we're gonna separate that out this year.
Speaker 1 00:26:26 That's really cool that you're able to do that. And if you're gonna do that, how many days would you do that for?
Speaker 3 00:26:32 Um, we're, we're looking at doing a, basically another festival run. Our festivals are typically 11 days.
Speaker 1 00:26:40 That's, that's quite a, that should do really well for you monetarily. I would think,
Speaker 3 00:26:45 Um, I, well, this year, because it's new and experimental, we've decided not to take any of the ticket from the artist. This is just gonna go straight to the artist. Oh. So we are hoping to entice people to be a part of it by guaranteeing them that they set their own ticket price, what they feel it is worth. And then they can keep that entire thing. This is just helping us create a platform. So I think the tables are turned a little bit.
Speaker 1 00:27:12 That's cool. Excellent. Tell us how someone can find the, the fringe schedule and know what's playing when
Speaker 3 00:27:24 Right. So Minnesota fringe.org, we'll take you right to our website and you can click on the word festival and it's gonna give, bring up a list of all of the shows. And with that, there'll be a schedule, uh, that you can find on our website. There's a dropdown menu. If you wanna go straight to the schedule or straight to the access page, uh, listing all the accessibility shows, um, and then every single show in our festival and in our festival, this is very unique among other fringe festivals. Every producer has the ability to customize their own webpage. So you can find out all kinds of things about the shows in our festival, you know, a short description to, uh, more information to who's in the casting crew or how they got inspired for what they wanna do. And then after you've seen the show, you can go back to their page and leave a review. And when you leave a review that can be seen by other people who are interested. Oh, that's cool. Yeah. And then they can see what the audience is saying. And for years we've been, uh, you know, leaving the typical five star reviews. But this year we introduced a new mascot. It's a little purple kitty. And he was named buttons in a competition that we had earlier this spring. So instead of five stars, you can leave five kiddies.
Speaker 1 00:28:41 Aw, I like it. Well, we are almost out of your time, but never fear. We're gonna come up with back with more accessibility, but I, I just wanna check. Is there anything else you'd like to leave us with?
Speaker 3 00:28:55 Yeah. I think the most important things that people who I wanna use our accessibility services should know is that to guarantee a seat it at a show that is providing a service that you wanna see, you just have to go and buy your ticket online, but use the code access 22. And that will remove the fee for reservations. So you'll save yourself a couple dollars there.
Speaker 1 00:29:21 Don. It's always fun having you in. Thank you. So, so very much. Thank you for having postponing your dinner.
Speaker 3 00:29:28 <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:29:28 Thank you. And I'm, I'm glad you're still at the fringe and, and we look forward to seeing more and possibly seeing some virtual stuff. That'd be fun. Yeah. Thank you very much. And this is K FFI, 90.3, FM, Minneapolis and K F i.org. This is disability and progress. My name is Sam Charlene dolls. My research woman. Uh, you were just listening to Don Bentley, who is the executive product director of the fringe. And now we're gonna go to Joan, Jill. Oh my goodness. Talking too fast. Jill Boone, who is access coordinator? Did I get that one, right? At least
Speaker 0 00:30:15 Accessibility coordinator.
Speaker 1 00:30:16 Accessibility coordinator. Sorry. Yeah, that's fine. And she's gonna talk about fair accessibility. Um, state fair accessibility, um, specifically. So why don't you start out by telling me what, what accessibility means in general? Because most people think about, I don't even know if they have a concept of what accessibility is.
Speaker 0 00:30:43 Okay. Yeah. Um, so you mean accessibility with the fair? Yes. On how, okay. Yeah. So accessibility, um, our definition by it is, you know, knowing when, where, where to park, um, where accessible parking spaces are, um, park and rides, um, how to get around the fair, if you're using a scooter or if you need to rent a scooter, a wheelchair, any of that, um, we have ASL services, captioning, audio description, sensory friendly service animals. We have dining guides for, um, if anybody has any special, um, food allergies, we have a dining guide that has specific places, um, and gives people a better look, um, on that.
Speaker 1 00:31:36 Well, you don't get to rent a service animal though. You just have to come with one.
Speaker 0 00:31:39 No, <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:31:42 Um, can you start off by talking about your ASL interpreters and yes. Availability and how that works?
Speaker 0 00:31:49 Yeah, so we have a, there's a couple of different things we have with our ASL interpreters for the first we have, um, interpreters on the fairgrounds from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. And we have, um, an a am team which consists of three to four interpreters and a PM team. So, um, the really cool part about it is we, we look at the schedule and see which shows would, um, or performances or demonstrations might fit really well, um, with them. So we do have a set of six performances or presentations that happen through the day that happen every single day at the same times. But when our interpreters aren't working at those shows, if there is something that somebody else wants to see, they can let us know and we can get the interpreter over to that place. So we do have them with a select, you know, we do have select shows, but in presentations and performances, but then we can also add, um, into that day.
Speaker 1 00:33:00 I know you guys have park and rides. Yes. Oh, well, before, before we go to that, if somebody wants to see something that is not ASL interpreted yes. Is there a way to do that?
Speaker 0 00:33:10 Yep. So two, two different ways. And then I have one other thing to add about ASL in a second, but the about, so if, if a you're looking through the schedule before you come to the fair, you can email or call us, I actually had, um, a mother call me during the fair last year. And she was bringing her daughter who needed ASL. And she was like, well, we would like to see this show and this show that wasn't on the schedule. And so we made that happen. Cool. Um, so you can always do it before that day or, um, the day of, so, uh, yes. Let me get our email. Sorry. I,
Speaker 1 00:33:48 No, no, I just, no problem.
Speaker 0 00:33:50 I just scrolled down to the wrong spot. <laugh> that's okay. Um, so if you wanna get in touch with us, um, by email it's
[email protected], or by phone it's (651) 288-4448, the, the third option would be if you're on the fair grounds and you see an information booth, um, if you let them know, and this, this is for any accessibility, I should say happening. Mm-hmm <affirmative> um, if you have a need, if you go to an information booth, they have my phone number, cause I'm usually out on the grounds, they can get in touch with me and I can make sure that the access happens. So, um, the other thing with the ASL interpreting, we do offer that for our grandstand performances and our band show performances, but you do have, uh, reservations are required 14 days before. Okay. The start or before that show happens.
Speaker 1 00:34:59 And let's talk about the dates of the fair.
Speaker 0 00:35:02 Yes. Um, August 25th through September 5th.
Speaker 1 00:35:07 And it's interesting, cuz I always kind of talk about this show being fairly global. You know, I really try hard to bring things that could, um, reach other people, not just in Minnesota. And I realized tonight I'm being kind of, sort of local, but except that the fringe happens all over different states. So all this stuff that we talked about, I presum people can check out on their own state and see, and the same probably with affair. And I do know that a lot of people come from different states just to go to the Minnesota state fair, um, because it is a pretty good size fair. And mm-hmm <affirmative> um, that at least has been in the past. Can you talk a little bit about park and rides? Are they wheelchair accessible?
Speaker 0 00:35:54 Yes. And we actually have, there is a park and ride that, um, that's not on the map of park and rides because, um, it is a wheelchair accessible park and ride only. It is located, um, south of the fairgrounds, um, at the Oscar Johnson arena. So to get into that lot, you have to have either the, um, your, the pass or, um, a certificate or the disability license plates in order to even get into that, um, parking lot. Um, so that is the one that I would say if you're, I mean, all of the park and rides, um, we do have a list, uh, on our website. We have a great accessibility guide. If you go onto our state fair website, go under visit and you'll see accessibility guide and then as a whole bunch of places. So you can drop down just to the information about park and rides or you can go through all of it. I remember last year, I know it's even, even, um, more robust this year, but if we printed it off on paper, it was 11 pages of information. Oh cool. So there's a lot of information, um, on that guide, that's always the place, I would say to first point somebody, if they've got an accessibility question, um, look on that page and if you're not finding what you need, then, uh, contact us, cuz that has a whole lot of information. Um,
Speaker 1 00:37:29 And of course, if somebody needs scooters or wheelchairs or strollers or wagon rentals or anything like that, um, what do they do
Speaker 0 00:37:39 That is through? So it's through a, a company called hometown mobility, which, um, I, I did research last year, um, on, on hometown mobility when I first started, cuz I wanted to see like how easy it was to rent something on, on online. Right. Um, and so they, they do fairs all over the United States. So, um, and so Minnesota is one of the fairs that they, um, work with. And so the hours, um, are 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM and they provide, uh, electric scooters, strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. And so you can rent on site, but it is first come first serve. I would always suggest if you know, which day you're gonna come to the fair and
Speaker 1 00:38:31 It
Speaker 0 00:38:31 Know that you need to rent something. I, I would rent it in advance. Mm yeah. Um, if you reserve on, you can reserve online and then if you, and this is also on our, on the webpage, but if you want to call in, they do, um, charge a $5 call in fee really? Um yep. To do it in over the phone. Interesting. Um, so, but that, that fee does not apply if you do it online. All right. So, um, yeah. Yeah. But they are accepting, um, reservations as of right now. So
Speaker 1 00:39:07 Do they general
Speaker 0 00:39:08 And you knew the day you wanted to go, you could go in and, and um, get your rental, do
Speaker 1 00:39:13 They generally run out of rentals?
Speaker 0 00:39:16 They can. Um, and they used to do, um, partial days, but now they're back to just doing it's. Um, so for like an electric scooter, it's 65 for the day. Um, so you know, if you got there at 7:00 AM and stayed until 11:00 PM, that that scooter would be yours all day. And there also is, um, charging stations along the way. <laugh> so if you're running low on battery and that that's also, if you are in your own scooter or wheelchair, we do have rent. We do have, um, charging stations located throughout the state. Fair.
Speaker 1 00:39:56 You also have some, um, sensory buildings. I wonder if you could talk about them. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:40:02 So last year was the first year that we, um, had this, but we have teamed up with Fraser and they have a building, um, on the fairgrounds, which is located on, um, co Grove mm-hmm and it's right near the home improvement buildings. And it's right across from the creative activities center. And they have a space that they have made that is, you know, that you can go in, you can decompress. So they have the front part where you can ask questions about what Fraser does. And then in the back they have the sensory space to be able to take a break and, um, Fraser staffs that building, um, throughout the entire fair.
Speaker 1 00:40:53 So what does that mean? Take a break. Like what do they what's
Speaker 0 00:40:57 So, you know, if, if you, if you are on the spectrum or have any, you know, if you just are overwhelmed by the space they have fidgets, they have, um, they have, uh, I believe they have weighted blankets. They have, I, they have, um, I'm just jumping down to them real quick. Sure. To make sure I tell you all the right things. So, um, so they have, um, uh, yes, they have weighted blankets, shoulder wraps, calming music, floor cushions and exercise balls, fidget toys. So that's in the back of the building. Um, and they, there is a ramp to get to the back of the building. It is accessible and, um, and then they, and so they also have, you know, staffed with volunteer or it's staffed with, um, sensory support volunteers who can help regulate. Um, and then a couple of other spots on the fair that, um, that are good to go to that are usually a little bit quieter is our, um, alphabet forest, which we have a math building and a, and a reading building.
Speaker 0 00:42:17 And so those two spots and they're just down the street a little bit further on Costco. Um, those two spots are usually a little bit more calm during the fair as well. Um, what's really cool is that Fraser put together, um, uh, printable tips for visiting the fair Uhhuh, um, with people with sensitivities, uh, sensory sensitivities, and they have a whole bunch of different, um, thoughts on things to do, where to go, what to bring, and they have a, we have a social narrative. So that is also part of, you know, that, that page, the page I was telling you about, right. Our accessibility page, it has all of that information and gives a social narrative and, um, ideas of when to come, where to go, um, for people with sensory issues.
Speaker 1 00:43:14 Let's talk a little bit about audio description
Speaker 0 00:43:17 There. Yeah. I am. I'm really excited this, um, so I know in the past we've had audio description for like when Garrison Keeler did Prairie home companion. We had had, um, a describer for that at one point. Um, cause I remember, uh, the, the audio describer said the person wanted to know how all of the sound effects were being made. <laugh> so, um, so I know that that has been in the past this year is the first year that we are taking it, um, into a different avenue and those, those performance and presentations that I was talking about that we have done with ASL interpreters were trying that out with audio description. Um, and right now as, since we're piloting it, we, we, the audio describer we're working with, um, is Laura Webers. And she, and I came up with some dates just to start out. So we have four dates that we are doing audio description. I hope, you know, one day to be able to grow this, um, program into having even more, more days of the fair. Um, but for this year we are, we are piloting and trying it out and seeing if, um, if the community is interest, you know, would like, would like us to continue in that direction.
Speaker 1 00:44:46 Well, I hope you give it more than just, um, one time shot because oh, for sure. One of the things that I know is, you know, it's hard to advertise it first of all. And then, um, people yes. Just kind of find out when they go, if they aren't privy to some of this advertising that happens with the fair. So yeah. How do you decide what you're going to audio describe or, um, sign language or caption or whatever.
Speaker 0 00:45:13 Yeah. You know, we, we really, we look at the schedule of the presentations and the performances and see what, um, would work. I will say, you know, for this year I told Laura, I was like, you've got your work cut out for you. <laugh> history on a shtick is actually performance that we have, um, ASL interpreted in the past. Um, and the Minnesota historical society puts that performance on. And it is, I still sing the songs in my head from last year. Um, it's, it's a 30 minute show. Um, it's got, you know, a whole bunch of different Minnesota history and mm-hmm, <affirmative> state fair history. And, um, there's a lot going on in that. There's always talking, always singing, um, but there's also a lot of movement happening. And so, um, I felt when first looking at it that it might be a, that it would be a good show to, to try audio description out on, because I feel like that is something that, um, someone with low vision, um, or no vision would miss some of the gags that are happening and that, that would help add to, to the performance.
Speaker 1 00:46:32 And so for the captioning for guests, is that generally happening on the same time, same things that may have audio description or ASL?
Speaker 0 00:46:45 Um, yes. So this year, again, as you kind of said, well, of course, um, this is just in our pilot year and, and, um, but we decided to also do captioning for the, the same. Um, so it's the 10 o'clock performance, um, on those four dates is when captioning will happen and then audio description will be at 11:00 AM and, um, for history on a shtick. So yeah, so this year that's, that's what we're going to do, especially because with captioning, you have a large screen that, you know, is, would be cumbersome to carry to different stages. Um, so for this year, we're trying it out with this one performance and then hopefully being able to build on it in the future.
Speaker 1 00:47:37 So besides the livestock farm area that you may go see at the fair, are there animals allowed at the fair
Speaker 0 00:47:45 Yes. Service service, um, service animals are allowed at, at the fair,
Speaker 1 00:47:51 But people cannot bring their pets.
Speaker 0 00:47:53 They cannot bring their pets or emotional support to animals.
Speaker 1 00:47:58 Excellent. That's important to know that no emotional support just purely service dogs, right?
Speaker 0 00:48:04 Yes. Correct.
Speaker 1 00:48:06 So I'm, I'm asking a loaded question, but do you have any way of knowing?
Speaker 0 00:48:15 Um, I guess, uh <laugh> well, I guess as in anywhere, no. Um, if somebody says it's their service animal, then if they say it's their service dog, then it's their service dog and we hope that they're being truthful. Okay. Um, so
Speaker 1 00:48:35 Talk a little more about, oh, go
Speaker 0 00:48:37 Ahead. Yeah. I was gonna say, yeah, because I know we, we can't ask that question if they say it's their service animals, so
Speaker 1 00:48:43 You, you are allowed to, to ask what tasks they perform.
Speaker 0 00:48:47 Oh, okay.
Speaker 1 00:48:47 That is something that you are allowed to do. And oftentimes that trips people up and if somebody says, well, it comforts me. That's not a, that's not a task.
Speaker 0 00:48:59 Okay. Thank you very much, Sam <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:49:03 Tell me a little more about alphabet forest.
Speaker 0 00:49:06 Yes. Um, so we found this little nugget of joy to my boss, Chris and I, she was looking through the books, um, of alphabet forest and she found that there were, um, I think there's probably about 10 books in there that, um, have braille. And, um, we did not know that last year. And we, we were, we were just, it was just fun to see that that, that, uh, access was happening in alphabet forest. And we just didn't, we hadn't realized it. So, um, so it was a lot of fun to see. So I looked through the books and, um, so some of the books have, um, you know, were made embryo and then other ones have it where it's the tape. Right. That's put over. Right. So, yeah.
Speaker 1 00:49:57 Cool. Yeah. So how long have you been doing accessibility for the fair?
Speaker 0 00:50:02 This is my second, uh, summer doing it. I, I was in talks with them, of course, for the 20, 20 fair, but then that did not happen. Mm-hmm <affirmative> so 2021 was my first fair I, however, um, before doing access for the fair, I worked for the fair in guest services at the grand stand for all right.
Speaker 1 00:50:24 The,
Speaker 0 00:50:25 For the performances. So I, and then, you know, in my other work, um, in my other theater work earlier on, I had done other things at the fair. So I didn't know the fairgrounds pretty well <laugh> before coming, coming on, but I, um, last year I walked 92 miles in those 12 days. I really wow. Took the time to make sure I walked into every building. I wanted to make sure that, um, you know, if, if there was, you know, any, you know, any of the sidewalks that had a, you know, the were not as accessible anymore because, you know, cement had pushed up in a way that I mm-hmm <affirmative> could take a picture and they're great about, um, you know, you send that to them and they get it fixed. And so, um, so I made sure to walk around and make sure when we say it's successful, it is, and, and we are so,
Speaker 1 00:51:19 And I want to know, um, you know, this, as I was talking to Don about this, the numbers of COVID cases are so up and down and up and down, are you guys doing anything with masks or is there any place people can pick up masks or hand sanitizer bottles if they want,
Speaker 0 00:51:39 You know, I know, and I, you know, as you were talking to Don, I was like, I didn't, I didn't double check this, so I apologize. Um, but I can get back to you about it too. I do know last year we did have masks at the gates. I would assume we probably still would have if we had some leftover from last year, um, I know in the buildings, you know, no masks were required, but they were recommended. Right. Um, and you know, that still, I believe would be those same signs would be up. Um, you know, I last year the numbers, if you looked at the numbers from last year, I know they were not as high as in these past. So, you know, some places I wore my mask, um, through, you know, everywhere last year, but in some places when I was able to walk outside, there was, um, there was enough space, like where I had didn't have anybody around me that I felt, uh, comfortable enough to take, take my mask off for a couple of minutes while I was walking to the next place. Um, cuz you know, I didn't have anybody, um, anywhere near me. I know that numbers, um, probably will be higher this year than they were last year. But um,
Speaker 1 00:52:57 Yeah, I was gonna ask if you, if you noticed a crowd drop last year from previous years.
Speaker 0 00:53:05 Yes. Um, and I, um, it's, it's funny when I tell you probably that I work at the state fair, but I don't like crowds <laugh> but um, really last year, you know, I was like, I know that sounds so funny. Um, but I, you know, as long as I have that quiet spot to go to I'm okay. For a few minutes,
Speaker 1 00:53:27 <laugh> you have your own little sound, is your sensory room
Speaker 0 00:53:30 <laugh> yes. Yes. Um, but um, you know, I, there definitely was, you could tell a difference. It was a lot easier to, uh, navigate the fairgrounds last year, Jetson, um, avenue, always, you know, down by the Barnes and everything mm-hmm <affirmative> that was, and by the midway, I would say usually where you saw the most yeah. Congestion, but it wasn't as high as it had been in previous years.
Speaker 1 00:54:00 And I would think in general, that's where you see the most anyway.
Speaker 0 00:54:04 Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:54:06 Is there anything else you would like to tell us about accessibility that's going on at the fair this year? Well,
Speaker 0 00:54:14 I would, you know, um, I, we, I would just, if anybody has any questions, I just wanna say never hesitate to ask and if it's something that we can get done before this fair, then we will. But you know, as you know, with planning any big event, as it gets closer, we there's, sometimes we can't, um, always get something done, but, um, so
Speaker 1 00:54:40 People,
Speaker 0 00:54:40 If you have an access question yeah. Or an idea or a thought, um, on or after you've come to the fair and you're like, you know, the fair would be more accessible if please send us an email at that accessibility email. Um, we really do take the feedback to heart and, and you know, we try to work to make the fairgrounds and the fair as accessible as possible.
Speaker 1 00:55:06 And do you have that email address once more?
Speaker 0 00:55:10 Yes. It is
[email protected].
Speaker 1 00:55:22 Uh, I often give my research lady a chance to ask any questions. And so Charlene, I'm just wondering if you had, if you caught anything I missed or if you had a, an accessibility question for anything that I didn't ask?
Speaker 4 00:55:42 No, I don't have I, whatever it was I thought about she already, uh, covered it. So I think it was about the service dogs.
Speaker 1 00:55:50 Very thorough, very thorough. That's good. <laugh> sounds
Speaker 0 00:55:54 Good.
Speaker 1 00:55:55 Are you going to the fair this year? Charlene?
Speaker 4 00:55:58 Huh?
Speaker 1 00:55:59 Are you going to the fair this year?
Speaker 4 00:56:03 If I can find somebody who wants to go in the morning on a weekday
Speaker 1 00:56:07 <laugh> yeah, yeah, probably that's that's the best time where it's the least crowded. I, I think
Speaker 0 00:56:15 Yes, yes. It, yeah. I would always say too earlier on a weekday is, would be my preferred time too. If I was going as a guest,
Speaker 1 00:56:25 You have to work. Haha. <laugh> yeah. So what would you like, is there anything you would like to see happen in the, in the future of accessibility of the fair?
Speaker 0 00:56:35 Oh, um, yeah, I mean we, the <laugh> I just got all, all clumped, I guess I, I will say it's been the fair has been an amazing place to work, um, because they are so willing to look at access and see what changes can be made. And so I'm sure that I, I can't think of one thing off the top. My, my, actually my big dream was to get audio description and open captioning
Speaker 1 00:57:11 And look, you're doing it
Speaker 0 00:57:12 A larger thing. You already doing it? I would say my dream would be to have, um, like Don kind of was saying, you know, if, if we have a patron with, um, low vision or no vision that would like to go see, um, you know, something in the creative arts building that we have an audio describer, that's able to go over with them and describe what's there, or if there's a way of doing something with QR codes. And so you compress it and listen. So we're, we're always looking into the technology and like my, my big thing, what I would love to do and figure out how to do is wave finding. Oh yeah. For, for people with who are blind or low vision. Yeah. At the fair, because, um, it's a, that is, it's a large, it's a rash race place. <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:58:07 Yeah,
Speaker 0 00:58:07 It certainly is. So, um, so we're, we are trying to figure out, you know, how, um, how we can do that and the technology behind it. So, um, so I feel like, you know, those are some things that may take a little bit more time, but are definitely in our heads and something that we want to do.
Speaker 1 00:58:25 Well, Jill, thank you so much for coming on. I really appreciate your patience and I certainly appreciate the time you spent with us.
Speaker 0 00:58:32 Yeah. Thank you so much for having me. It was good to
Speaker 1 00:58:35 And good luck at the fair. Don't eat too much fried food.
Speaker 0 00:58:39 Oh, you know what? My favorite place is the, is the produce exchange.
Speaker 1 00:58:44 Ah,
Speaker 0 00:58:45 I love their, their grilled peaches with goat cheese and honey. Oh
Speaker 1 00:58:50 Yum. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 0 00:58:52 Yeah. That's my favorite. And they have kombucha on tap. So that's my favorite place to,
Speaker 1 00:58:57 Well, thank you very much. And uh,
Speaker 0 00:59:00 Have a great day. Thank me
Speaker 1 00:59:01 Too. Bye-bye this has been disability and progress abuse express on this show are not necessarily those of cafe AI or it's board of directors. My name is Sam. I'm the host of this show. Thanks so much for tuning in Charlene dolls. My research person. Thank you, Erin for podcasting this and thanks to Don and Jill for being on the show. If you wanna be a part of the email list, you can email me at disability and progress. Sam jasmine.com. This is K 90.3, FM, Minneapolis and K.
