Accessibility at The WaterShed
The WaterShed’s mission is to inspire all people to protect and conserve our natural resources for future generations. We welcome visitors of all abilities to our education center and offer visual, audio, physical and sensory accommodations for guests with disabilities.
This page provides information to support your visit to The WaterShed. For more information about accessibility at The WaterShed, email watershed@cityofboise.org or call 208-608-7300.
Download NaviLens
NaviLens is a free app that helps people with visual impairments navigate their surroundings. It uses augmented reality and computer vision to provide audio instructions and information about the environment.
Download NaviLens GO
NaviLens GO app uses your camera to scan QR-style Navilens codes printed around the education center to translate text in real time.
Physical Accessibility: Guests Using Wheelchairs and Personal Mobility Devices
The WaterShed education center has two wheelchair accessible entry paths. Guests using wheelchairs can enter near the roundabout or near the southeast corner of the river campus, at the path closest to our accessible parking spaces.
All exhibits, restrooms and picnic tables are wheelchair accessible. Valley Regional Transit’s Access Paratransit and Beyond Access services provide transportation to the Watershed. To book a ride, please call (208) 345-7433.
Visual Accessibility: Guests Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
We offer many tactile opportunities, including wayfinding maps located near parking lots and a variety of hands-on exhibits. You can also explore several animal models available at the reception desk.
The WaterShed uses NaviLens technology to help people who are blind or visually impaired navigate the education center by translating visual signage into audio.
To use NaviLens at The WaterShed, download the free NaviLens app on your personal device or checkout an iPad for free at our reception desk. Using the app and your camera, you can scan QR-style NaviLens codes printed around the education center to have interpretive text and wayfinding read aloud.
Language Accessibility: Guests who Speak a Language Other than English
All of our exhibits and wayfinding signs are bilingual, English and Spanish.
The WaterShed uses NaviLens technology to translate text into 37 languages.
To use NaviLens to translate text at The WaterShed, download the free NaviLens GO app on your personal device or checkout an iPad for free at our reception desk. Using the app and your camera, you can scan QR-style Navilens codes printed around the education center to translate text in real time.
Hearing Accessibility: Guests Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Our exhibits include ambient noise rather than spoken language, so our hearing-impaired guests can fully experience the exhibits.
The WaterShed also uses NaviLens technology to translate audio exhibits into American Sign Language (ASL)s video.
To use NaviLens at The WaterShed, download the free NaviLens app on your personal device or checkout an iPad for free at our reception desk. Using the app and your camera, you can scan QR-style NaviLens codes printed around the education center to have audio exhibits translated into ASL.
Sensory Accessibility: Guests Who are Neurodivergent or Sensory Sensitive
The WaterShed is a stimulating place with opportunities to hear, see and touch interactive exhibits. We are often busy with school field trips from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. For a more sensory-friendly experience, visit us in the late afternoons on weekdays, or check our schedule to see upcoming WaterShed Weekend Saturday hours.
Sensory backpacks are available for free checkout at the reception desk. Sensory backpacks include noise-canceling headphones, bilingual books and communication cards, plush animals and fidget toys.
Additionally, you may request that the lighting effects be muted during your visit at the reception desk.
