Accessibility at Open Farms

Effective Date: July 26, 2026

Open Farms believes people of varied abilities should have meaningful opportunities to participate in our community, learn about our work, and access information about our programs.

This statement describes our efforts to improve accessibility on our website and at our working farm in Springville, New York.

Website Accessibility

Open Farms is working to make openfarmswny.org accessible and usable for as many people as reasonably possible.

Our goal is to follow generally recognized accessibility practices, including relevant portions of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG 2.2 Level AA, as we create, review, and update website content.

Our ongoing accessibility efforts may include:

  • Using clear headings and page structure

  • Providing meaningful alternative text for important images

  • Maintaining readable text and adequate color contrast

  • Using descriptive links and buttons

  • Supporting keyboard navigation where available

  • Avoiding unnecessary flashing or distracting content

  • Adding captions, transcripts, or text alternatives to media when reasonably possible

  • Writing content in clear, understandable language

  • Reviewing forms and interactive features for usability

Accessibility is an ongoing process. Websites change, technologies evolve, and some content or third-party features may not function equally well for every visitor or assistive technology.

Third-Party Services

Our website uses services provided by third parties, which may include:

  • Squarespace

  • Payment processors

  • Scheduling and registration tools

  • Maps

  • Social-media platforms

  • Embedded videos or media

  • Online forms and commerce features

Open Farms does not control every accessibility feature of these outside services. We will nevertheless try to provide assistance or an alternative method of obtaining information or completing a transaction when a visitor encounters a barrier.

Requesting Website Assistance

Please contact us if you:

  • Have difficulty using any portion of the website

  • Need information in an alternative format

  • Cannot complete a form, registration, donation, or purchase

  • Encounter an image, video, document, or feature that is not accessible

  • Have a suggestion for improving accessibility

When reporting a website problem, it is helpful to include:

  • The page or feature involved

  • A brief description of the difficulty

  • The device, browser, or assistive technology being used

  • The format or method that would work better for you

We will make reasonable efforts to respond and provide the requested information or service through another method.

Accessibility at the Farm

Open Farms welcomes visitors and participants with disabilities. We also want everyone to understand the physical nature of the property before arriving.

Open Farms is a real working farm. Conditions may include:

  • Hills and inclines

  • Uneven or slippery ground

  • Grass, gravel, soil, and mud

  • Narrow pathways, gates, fencing, and thresholds

  • Weather exposure

  • Hay, dust, insects, animal hair, and other allergens

  • Farm tools, vehicles, and equipment

  • Livestock and other animals, including animals moving freely within designated areas

Conditions change with the season, weather, construction, animal needs, and daily farm operations. Some areas and activities may be difficult or unavailable for visitors using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other mobility devices.

We do not want to overstate the accessibility of the property or surprise anyone after arrival. Visitors are encouraged to contact us before visiting so we can discuss current conditions and identify the safest and most practical participation options.

Accommodations

Open Farms will consider reasonable accommodation requests based on:

  • The visitor’s needs

  • Current farm conditions

  • The nature of the program or activity

  • Available staff and volunteer support

  • Animal welfare and behavior

  • Legitimate health and safety requirements

  • The physical limitations of the property

Possible accommodations may include:

  • Identifying a more accessible route or meeting location

  • Adjusting the activity or pace

  • Offering a seated or lower-impact activity

  • Providing additional verbal instructions

  • Allowing additional time

  • Coordinating with a parent, caregiver, interpreter, or support person

  • Providing information through email, telephone, or another format

  • Rescheduling when weather or ground conditions are more favorable

Not every activity or area can be made accessible in every circumstance, but we will discuss available options honestly and respectfully.

Support Persons

Participants may bring a parent, caregiver, interpreter, direct-support professional, or other trusted support person.

Support persons should remain with the participant as needed and follow farm safety instructions. Advance notice is appreciated when it will help us prepare, but we understand that circumstances vary.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome in areas open to the public, consistent with applicable law.

Because Open Farms is home to livestock and other animals that may react to an unfamiliar dog or other animal, we strongly encourage service-animal handlers to contact us before visiting. Advance contact is encouraged for safety planning but is not a condition of access.

Depending on the animals present and the activity involved, it may be necessary to:

  • Use a different route

  • Maintain additional distance from livestock

  • Modify a particular activity

  • Avoid a limited animal area where the service animal’s presence would disrupt or jeopardize safe operation

We will work with the handler to identify a reasonable alternative whenever possible.

The handler is responsible for the care, supervision, and control of the service animal. A service animal may be required to leave if it is not housebroken or is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

Pets, therapy animals, and emotional-support animals are not permitted unless Open Farms has specifically authorized their presence in advance.

Children and Families

Children with disabilities are welcome to participate subject to the same age, supervision, safety, and registration requirements that apply to other children.

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult throughout their visit.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact us before arriving to discuss accommodations, sensory considerations, mobility needs, communication preferences, or other information that may help create a positive experience.

Emergency and Safety Considerations

Open Farms may modify, relocate, postpone, or cancel an activity when weather, animal behavior, terrain, equipment, staffing, or another condition creates a legitimate safety concern.

Accessibility decisions will not be based on assumptions about a person’s disability. We may ask questions necessary to understand a requested accommodation, the essential nature of an activity, and any immediate safety considerations.

Feedback and Contact Information

Accessibility questions, accommodation requests, or website-accessibility concerns may be directed to:

Open Farms
A DBA of Let’s Goat Rescue, Inc.
7512 Genesee Road
Springville, NY 14141

Telephone: 716-803-7484
Email: help@openfarmswny.org

For website concerns, please use the subject line “Website Accessibility.”

For farm visits or accommodation requests, please use the subject line “Farm Accessibility Request.”

We welcome constructive feedback and will continue working to improve access to our website, farm, programs, and community.