Case Study: Nebraska State Fair

Ensuring accessibility at large events can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Deaf Services Unlimited, we deliver reliable, high-quality American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting and CART Captioning services to help every guest feel included. DSU was recently connected with The Nebraska State Fair to provide ASL interpreting for seven of their live concerts. 

“The Nebraska State Fair is an 11-day annual event ending on Labor Day. The Nebraska State Fair annually draws thousands of visitors to Grand Island, where they celebrate the state’s agricultural heritage and culture. The fair offers livestock competitions, petting zoos, food vendors, live music, rides and diverse vendor booths, creating a remarkable experience for families, farmers, and individuals interested in exploring Nebraska’s vibrant history at the heart of the Midwest.” 

Karli Schulz, Entertainment and Events Director, and Courtney Glock, Marketing Director, share how the Nebraska State Fair worked to expand accessibility and create a more inclusive experience for all fair attendees. 

Inclusivity Day, Every Day 

When DSU asked The Nebraska State fair what their approach to accessibility was, they explained the different levels of accessibility that a large-scale event needs to consider. Over the past five years, the state fair has shifted to using a proactive and inclusive approach to accessibility. The state fair uses committees and subcommittees to plan, implement, and advise on how to expand their accessibility efforts each year. 

With a large-scale event, there are many different facets of accessibility that The Nebraska State Fair takes into consideration. Accommodations like adult changing tables, ADA seating at shows, and ASL interpreting for live events are just a few that the fair mentioned as intentional conversation points for their committees. 

“…it’s not just on our Inclusivity Day at the Fair… it’s every day.” 

Accessibility Roadblocks 

Many roadblocks can emerge when pursuing access services. The Nebraska State Fair was met with roadblocks for their concerts. The fair discusses how getting connected with the right provider was challenging. They experienced difficulties connecting and communicating with their previous providers. There were gaps in understanding the logistics of providing ASL interpreting as well as the cultural and accessibility needs of their Deaf and hard of hearing guests.  

Another roadblock that the Nebraska State Fair faces; many ASL consumers in America face as well. The shortage of qualified ASL interpreters. In rural areas, like Grand Island, ASL interpreters are few and far between. For an 11-day event, finding qualified interpreters who are available can be challenging. 

“As a more rural community that hosts an 11-day event, it is often difficult to find individuals who are willing to travel and commit to attending our event (even just for a night).” 

Finding the Right Services  

Communication Access can come in many forms for large events. Event planners not only need to consider the cost of services, but what services are the best fit. For some consumers, captions can be a great option. For those whose first language is American Sign Language, captioning may not be the best service. 

In previous years, the Nebraska State Fair has provided ASL interpreting services and Closed Captioning services. The fair found that captioning services were not the right fit for their event.  

“Prior to using DSU services, we had ASL services provided by another organization. In 2024, we opted to use Closed Captioning and found that although there was significant cost savings, this was not a great alternative to on-site interpretation.” 

Now, the fair provides ASL interpretation at most of their concerts, regardless of whether services have been requested. The fair finds that this allows them to plan services and ensure that guests who use ASL are accommodated. This has also opened the fair up to more ASL users who may not have requested accommodations.  

“We understand that not all individuals that may require ASL interpretation will not necessarily reach out to the Fair but want them to be able to have an enjoyable experience regardless.”  

Choosing DSU 

When the Nebraska State Fair began planning communication access services for their concert series, they quickly realized that finding qualified ASL interpreters, especially those experienced in live music, was a significant challenge within the state. After extensive research and the understanding that they might need to look beyond Nebraska, the team discovered Deaf Services Unlimited through our work with the Iowa State Fair.  

“Fairs are unique and knowing that DSU works with one of the largest Fairs in the country gave us peace of mind that we were going to be working with an organization that understood our needs.”  

Following the Fair, the Nebraska State Fair team told DSU that our communication access services made providing ASL interpretation at concerts seamless. They shared that past experiences with interpreting services had created hesitation among production staff, but those concerns quickly disappeared. After the 2025 Fair concluded, their Production Manager noted how smooth the process was from start to finish. Knowing that our coordination team and concert-ready interpreters helped eliminate stress while delivering reliable access reinforced why so many large-scale events trust DSU. 

Getting Started with Communication Access 

The Nebraska State Fair shared that for organizations seeking access services for the first time, the most important advice is to start small and ask plenty of questions. Navigating ADA requirements can feel overwhelming at first, but there are many resources available to help break down the laws and guidelines in a clear, approachable way. Taking the time to learn and ask questions early helps organizations build confidence, make informed decisions, and create more inclusive experiences from the start. 

If you have questions on the ADA, learn more about your responsibilities and how DSU can help you navigate them here: https://deafservicesunlimited.com/ada-top-questions-answered/.

The Nebraska State Fair’s experience highlights how thoughtful planning and the right accessibility partner can transform communication access from a challenge into a seamless part of event production. By prioritizing qualified ASL interpreting and working with a team that understands the unique demands of fairs and live entertainment, they were able to create more inclusive concert experiences for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees while reducing stress for their internal teams. At Deaf Services Unlimited, we’re proud to support events of all sizes with reliable, knowledgeable coordination—because access isn’t an add-on, it’s an essential part of welcoming every attendee. 

Q&A 

 
1. Why is it important to work with an experienced ASL interpreting agency for large events and fairs? 
Large events and fairs come with unique logistical challenges, including complex schedules, multiple stakeholders, and fast-paced environments. An experienced ASL interpreting agency understands how to navigate these demands, coordinate with production teams, and ensure interpreters are prepared for live entertainment settings. This experience helps reduce stress for event staff while delivering consistent, high-quality access for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees. 

2. How can ASL interpreting improve accessibility at concerts and live entertainment events? 
ASL interpreting allows Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audience members to fully engage with live performances, announcements, and audience interactions. When interpreters are properly positioned, well-lit, and familiar with music and performance interpreting, they help create an inclusive experience where access is integrated into the event rather than treated as an afterthought. 

3. What challenges do event organizers face when providing ADA-compliant communication access? 
Event organizers often face challenges such as limited local interpreter availability, uncertainty around ADA requirements, and coordinating access within tight production timelines. Working with a knowledgeable access services provider helps address these challenges by offering guidance, reliable staffing, and proactive planning that aligns with ADA guidelines and event-specific needs. 

4. How do fairs and festivals successfully plan for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing accessibility? 
Successful fairs and festivals plan for accessibility early by partnering with experienced communication access providers, asking questions, and building access into their overall event strategy. Starting early allows time for coordination, interpreter preparation, and collaboration with production teams, ensuring access services run smoothly throughout the event. 

5. What should organizations look for when choosing an ASL interpreting and CART captioning provider? 
Organizations should look for a provider with proven experience in similar settings, strong coordination support, and a clear understanding of accessibility laws and best practices. A trusted provider will offer transparent communication, qualified interpreters, and solutions tailored to the organization’s specific environment—helping create inclusive experiences for all attendees.