Marin Expands Accessibility From County Fair To Civic Center

MARIN COUNTY, CA — From sensory-friendly carnival rides at the Marin County Fair to real-time captioning in government meetings, Marin County is highlighting a growing list of accessibility improvements aimed at making public spaces and services more inclusive.

County officials showcased the initiatives at the Board of Supervisors July meeting, recognizing Disability Pride Month and emphasizing efforts that go beyond meeting legal requirements by expanding access and participation for residents with disabilities.

"Disability Pride is not only about visibility, but also about belonging," said Laney Davidson, Marin County Disability Access Manager. "It is about affirming that disabled people are an essential part of the fabric of Marin County, and that our policies and practices must not simply accommodate disability but celebrate and center it."

Among the county's recent improvements are upgrades to the Board of Supervisors chamber at the Marin County Civic Center, including real-time English and Spanish captioning, expanded online captioning and a new assistive listening system that works with county-issued devices and personal smartphones.

Officials also pointed to accessibility enhancements at this year's Marin County Fair, where visitors had access to an ADA Accessibility Lounge with trained volunteers, noise-canceling headphones, sensory tools and a quiet space to recharge. The fair also introduced sensory-friendly carnival hours with reduced lights and sounds, drawing more than 75 attendees — a 120 percent increase from last year.

Another addition was the Momentum Refresh mobile restroom, which featured an adult changing table, an overhead lift for safe transfers and space for caregivers.

The fair's accessibility program earned first place at the 2025 Western Fairs Association Conference, recognizing its efforts to make the event more welcoming for visitors of all abilities.

The county said its Disability Access Program continues to work with departments across Marin to improve accessibility, remove barriers and expand opportunities for residents with disabilities to participate fully in county programs and services.