Interp Accessibility

NPS UNIT: First Ladies National Historic Site

LOCATION: CANTON, OH

First Ladies National Historic Site was established as a National Park Service site in 2000. However, permanent NPS interpretation, education, and visitor services staff have only been on-site since 2019. The site consists of two buildings: the Education Center and the Saxton House. The Education Center is a small museum that features exhibits on first ladies and visitors are welcome to explore at their own pace. The Saxton House is by guided tour only. Late in 2019, the NPS staff gained full responsibility for the guided tours, and we have slowly fully transformed into an interpretative audience centered experience. However, there is still enormous room for improvement, especially around how we provide this interpretative experience to our visitors that are deaf or hard of hearing. 

The Interpretation Accessibility Intern’s main responsibility will be to create a plan to improve the Saxton House tour experience for people who are deaf or hard or hearing. The intern will learn and lead tours of the Saxton House to gain familiarity with the interpretative experience of the site. They will meet with community stakeholders and subject matter experts to learn the needs, desires, expectations, of the audience we are trying to serve. Finally, the intern will present a plan for implementation of this improved experience. 

First Ladies NHS is a small site with an even smaller staff, therefore all IEVS staff and interns share visitor service responsibilities. The Interpretation Accessibility Intern will also share responsibilities for working the front desk in our Education Center. They will use the knowledge they gain from their primary responsibilities to informally interact with visitors and enhance their experience. However, their main responsibility will be creating a plan to improve the Saxton House tour experience for people who are deaf or hard or hearing. 

The Interpretation Accessibility Intern’s main responsibility will be to create a plan to improve the Saxton House tour experience for people who are deaf or hard or hearing. The intern will learn and lead tours of the Saxton House to gain familiarity with the interpretative experience of the site. They will meet with community stakeholders and subject matter experts to learn the needs, desires, expectations, of the audience we are trying to serve. Finally, the intern will present a plan for implementation of this improved experience. 

Learning Goals

Interpretative writing skills 

Historic research skills 

Collaboration and community partnerships 

Fundamentals in interpretation 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices in interpretation. 

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