Accessibility
Accessibility at Upham Woods
At Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center we prioritize providing high-quality educational opportunities to all. Below is a collection of generalized resources to show how we approach and address accessibility. Since everybody is unique, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can meet your particular access requirements during your visit. Please reach out to our accessibility coordinator, rachael.lewandowskisarette@wisc.edu, for more information!
To ensure we can support your needs, please request accommodations as early as possible.
- For Groups: Include your request when submitting your Date Reservation Form or, at the latest, your Program Coordination Form.
- For Individuals: Please request accommodations at the time of Event Registration.
Note: While we will try to fulfill late requests, we cannot guarantee they will be met.
Visual Supports
Below are examples of social stories, visual aids and schedules created to support past students and campers. We can work with you to create additional resources in the preferred format of the individual that you are supporting.
If you have created your own resources to support your Upham Woods trip, please share them with us so we can better support future visitors!
Accessibility Kit
Group leaders and educators have access to a variety of resources in our accessibility kit including fidgets, chair bands, calming strips, triangular crayon/markers, visual timer, night lights and more!
Talk to our Accessibility Coordinator to use the kit!
Note: The kit does not include noise cancelling headphones and visitors are encouraged to bring their own as needed.
Adaptive Equipment
Upham Woods has a collection of adaptive equipment to support outdoor activities including:
- Hiking poles
- Camp chairs with back and arm rests
- Outdoor portable microphone
- Beach wheelchair
- Adaptive kayak
- Fishing pole reel deal and hand cuff
Interpreters
Upham Woods works through a variety of vendors for interpretation services, including, but not limited to, Spanish and ASL. Please reach out at least 60 days in advance to start this process to make sure interpreters are available during your visit.
Adaptive Programs
We are proud to partner with a variety of organizations to offer adaptive programming. Every year we partner with the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research to offer Natures Navigators STEM camp for Neurodiverse Teens. In the past we have also hosted ASL camp, Autism Family camp and more!
Watch our event page or sign up for our newsletter to be notified about upcoming adaptive programs.
Trail Accessibility
Use the map and trail descriptions below to find the best fit for your comfort level.
We want everyone to enjoy the trails. If you have mobility or endurance concerns, we’re happy to provide:
Gear & Support: We can lend you trekking poles for balance or have staff carry lightweight chairs for you.
Flexible Pacing: We welcome frequent breaks and can adjust routes to be shorter.
Transportation: Driving to certain destinations is also an option.
Trail Descriptions: Mainland Trails
West Ridge Trail
- Distance: 0.38 miles (one-way)
- Trail surface: Dirt path with some roots and rocks.
- Description: This trail starts by crossing County Road N. As this is a busy road, we encourage individuals to use the crosswalk, which is located at the end of the grassy field. Once across the road, the trail ascends a short hill then flattens out as it goes along the ridge line before descending towards the road again. At this point, we encourage individuals to turn around and proceed back along the trail.
Riverbend Trail
- Distance: 0.47 miles
- Benches located after .17 miles (counterclockwise)
- Trail surface: Dirt path with many roots and rocks.
- Description (counterclockwise): This trail starts from our picnic area and ends in the parking lot. The beginning 0.17 miles from the picnic area to the benches is a gradual uphill climb on a mainly flat, hard-packed dirt path. After the benches there are about 20 steps downward towards the water where the path continues. From this point the path becomes harder to navigate as there are areas of erosion that present tilted surfaces with looser dirt.
Nature Center to the Slough (Wacky Water Critters Class Location)
- There are 2 ways to get to the slough, a shorter (0.08 mile) steep trail with many roots and rocks, or a longer (0.15 mile) gradual dirt trail. Once at the slough, there is a boardwalk to get closer to the water.
