Swinging in the Swamp Diane Robaina Tessa Sheridan Diana Burich Angela Giles-Moulton Nancy Zawada-Clair Susan Marie Terra

MarshAccess Model of Program Accessibility

Name tags Sound field 20 Minute rule Consistency of visuals Powerpoint Schedule review prior to program Debrief

Science Content What is a Habitat? Identification of common plants & animals Great Swamp Content Swamp Characteristics Common Plants & Animals in the swamp Science Tools & Tech Biodegradable Focus Scopes Flip Charts, Pictures, Lenses Fieldwork Documentation “Swampo” - Bingo game Biodegradable Focus Scopes Journal STANDARD

What are we going to do? What is a habitat? What is a swamp? What are the common plants & animals in the swamp? Create a bio-craft “Swampo” Conclusions

Habitat

Woody vegetation Mud Fresh water

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Plants of the Great Swamp

Animals - Mammals

Birds

Biodegradable Focus Scopes

MarshAccess Model of Program Accessibility

Barriers Visually impaired Difficulty seeing things to identify in the swamp – Portable magnifiers – Biofacts with textures i.e. bark, pelts, leaves, models of organisms – Things to smell – white cedar balls, skunk cabbage Difficulty moving from place to place – Assisting movement Can’t use focus scopes – make audio scopes

Barriers Age related difficulties Mobility issues – Assistance while traveling Visual issues – Magnifiers – Large text & pictures on field guides Hearing issues – Recorders for e-journaling – Digital cameras for photojournal

MarshAccess Model of Program Accessibility

Barriers Intellectual disability Difficulty understanding concepts – Shorten walk – Fewer activities conducted – Simplified field guides – Stickers & pictures as reference materials – Participants look for general named items i.e. rock, bird, tree

Barriers Visually impaired Difficulty seeing things to identify in the swamp – Bring specimens and artifacts inside for viewing – Biofacts with textures i.e. bark, pelts, leaves, models of organisms – Things to smell – white cedar balls, skunk cabbage Difficulty moving from place to place – Shorter trails – Level ground areas for moving around

Barriers Age related difficulties Mobility issues – Shorter trails – Level ground areas for moving around

MarshAccess Model of Program Accessibility

Special Programs Shorten walk One animal and one plant will be covered Simplified field guides “Swampo” – larger pictures Focus scope pre-made; participants just decorate them

Special Thanks to… Vicki Madden