Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs

Background

Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has had fully participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive, was a person with a disability. Although most of the BSA's efforts have been directed at keeping such boys in the mainstream of Scouting, it has also recognized the special needs of those with severe disabilities.

The Boy Scout Handbook has had braille editions for many years; merit badge pamphlets have been recorded on cassette tapes for the visually impared; and closed-caption training videos have been produced for those who are hearing impared. In 1965, registration of over-age Scouts with mental disabilities became possible — a privilege now extended to many people with disabilities.

Recognition of Needs

The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities and special needs is that they want most to participate like other youth — and Scouting gives them that opportunity. Thus, much of the program for Scouts with disabilities and special needs is directed at (1) helping unit leaders develop an awareness of disabled people among youth without disabilities and (2) encouraging the inclusion of Scouts with disabilities and special needs in Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Scout Teams, Venturing Crews, and Sea Scout Ships.

There are many units, however, composed of members with similar disabilities or special needs — such as an all-sight-impaired Boy Scout Troop or an all-hearing-impaired Cub Scout Pack — but these members are encouraged to participate in Scouting activities at the District, Council, area, Regional, and National levels along with other youth. Many of these special Scouting units are located in special schools or centers that make the Scouting program part of their curriculum.

Many of the more than 300 BSA local Councils have established their own advisory committees for youth with disabilities and special needs. These committees develop and coordinate an effective Scouting program for youth with disabilities and special needs, using all available community resources. Local councils also are encouraged to provide accessibility in their camps by removing physical barriers so that youth with disabilities and special needs can participate in weekend and summer resident camp experiences. Some local Councils also have professional staff members responsible for the program for members with disabilities.

Advancement

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers with disabilities and special needs participate in the same program as do their peers.

The BSA's policy has always been to treat members with disabilities and special needs as much like other members as possible, but a local Council may make some accommodations in advancement requirements if necessary. A Scout with a permanent physical or mental disability may select (or with the help of the unit Advancement Committee) an alternate merit badge in lieu of a required merit badge if his disabling condition prohibits the Scout from completing the necessary requirements of a particular required merit badge. This substitute should provide a similar learning experience. Full guidelines and explanations are available through the local council and on the Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges, No. 58-730. The local council advancement committee must approve the application. A Scout may also request changes in the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. The procedures are are described in the Boy Scout Requirements book, No. 33215.

This policy is designed to keep youth with disabilities and special needs as much in the mainstream as possible. Practical suggestions are made to leaders as to approaches and methods they can use. Thus, a youth in a wheelchair can meet the requirements for hiking by making a trip to places of interest in his community. Giving more time and permitting the use of special aids are other ways leaders can help youth with disabilities and special needs in their efforts to advance. The unit leader plays a crucial role in that effort.

Program Developments

BSA local Councils have formed cooperative relationships with agencies, school districts, and other organizations in serving disabled people. Many of these organizations have played a part in the development of literature, audiovisual aids, and media in braille for Scouts with disabilities and their leaders.

Each year, the BSA presents the national Woods Services Award to an adult in Scouting who has demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in the field of Scouting for disabled people (given by the Woods Services in Langhorne, Pennsylvania). The Woods Services Award is the highest recognition awarded by the BSA in this area of service. The Torch of Gold Award is available for similar presentation by local councils.

Other national support projects include materials relating to disabled and special needs people in the National Camping School syllabii as well as production of special manuals on Scouting for youth with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, visual impairment, and mental disabilities and those who are deaf. A week long training course for people working with youth with disabilities is offered each summer at the Philmont Training Center.

In August 1977, the first handicap awareness trail was incorporated into the program of the National Scout Jamboree at Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania. More than 5,000 Scouts participated. Since then, many local Councils have created their own awareness trails, designed to make non-disabled people aware of the many problems faced by people with disabilities and special needs. Recent Scout Jamborees have continued this tradition. Some local councils hold handicamp-O-Rees that feature camping and outdoor activities for youth with disabilities.

An interpreter strip for Signing for the Deaf can be earned by all Scouts.

Requirements and a pamphlet for a Disabilities Awareness merit badge are designed to help many thousands of America's youth develop a positive attitude toward individuals with disabilities and special needs. This attitude, based on study and personal involvement of people with disabilities, creates an excellent foundation for acceptance, mainstreaming, and normalization of those who are disabled. The learning experiences provided by working toward the Disabilities Awareness merit badge help produce changes in the attitudes of America's youth as they pursue new experiences and then share their new knowledge with friends.

Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs Documents

More Information

Additional information and lists of literature and other aids are available from the Boy Scout Division, Cub Scout Division, Venturing Division, and Leadership Support Service at the Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079, 972-580-2125.

Other Reference Documents and Supporting Information on Disabilities and Special Needs

Scouting Literature

* Architecture, Athletics, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Computers, Engineering, First Aid, Medicine, Public Speaking, and Sports merit badge pamphlets
* Boys' Life magazine in Braille. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington DC. Telephone: 202-707-5104
* Recordings of the Boy Scout Handbook and various merit badge pamphlets. Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. Toll-free telephone: 800-221-4792
* Boy Scout Handbook in Braille. The Lighthouse of Houston. Telephone: 713-527-9561
* Boy Scout Handbook in large print. Boy Scout Division. Telephone: 972-580-2439
* BSA merit badge pamphlets in Braille. National Braille Association. Telephone: 716-427-8260
* Ad Altare Dei Participant Manuals in Braille can be rented from the BSA Relationships Division at the national office in Irving, Texas, telephone: 972-580-2114. There is a minimal rental cost of $2 each, plus shipping and a security deposit of $25 to be refunded when texts are returned within a six-month time frame.
* Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs fact sheet, No. 02-508
* Scouting for Youth With Emotional Disabilities, No. 32998D
* Scouting for Youth With Physical Disabilities, No. 33057D
* Scouting for Youth With Mental Retardation, No. 33059C
* Scouting for Youth Who Are Deaf, No. 33061B
* Scouting for the Blind and Visually Impaired, No. 33063D
* Scouting for Youth With Learning Disabilities, No. 33065B

Books

Fiction

Many of these novels are classics available in several editions and formats including audio, and some are available in large print.

* Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The Secret Garden. HarperCollins, 1987. Colin behaves like a spoiled and incurable invalid until his orphaned cousin Mary comes to live in their lonely house on the Yorkshire moors. The two discover the mysteries and magic of a locked garden, and gradually transform the garden and themselves.
* Byars, Betsy. The Summer of the Swans. Penguin Putnam Books, 2004. A teenager gains new insight into herself and her family when her brother with mental retardation goes missing.
* De Angeli, Marguerite. The Door in the Wall. Yearling Books, 1990. In 14th-century England, a boy with physical disabilities proves his courage.
* Dorris, Michael. Sees Behind Trees. Disney Press, 1997. An American Indian boy with a special gift to "see" beyond his limited eyesight journeys with an old warrior to a land of mystery and beauty.
* Flegg, Aubrey. The Cinnamon Tree: A Novel Set in Africa. O'Brien Press, 2001. When a land mine explodes beneath her, Yola Abonda is thrown violently into a new life. She must learn to walk again after the amputation of her leg.
* Konigsburg, E. L. The View from Saturday. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998. Four students with their own individual stories develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher, a paraplegic, who chooses them to represent their sixth-grade class in the Academic Bowl competition.
* Martin, Ann M. A Corner of the Universe. Scholastic, 2002. Now that Uncle Adam's "school"—an institution for people with mental disabilities—is closing, 12-year-old Hattie's family must deal with a childlike young man whose existence they have denied for years.
* Philbrick, Rodman. Freak the Mighty. Scholastic Signature, 2001. At the beginning of eighth grade, Max, who has learning disabilities and a mighty physique, and his new friend Freak, who was born with a condition that affects his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they unite to become "Freak the Mighty" they make a powerful team.
* Taylor, Theodore. The Cay. Yearling Books, 2002. When the freighter on which they are traveling is torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II, an adolescent white boy, blinded by a blow on the head, and an old African American man are stranded on a tiny island where the boy gains a new kind of vision.
* Winkler, Henry. Niagara Falls, or Does It? Turtleback Books, 2003. Inspired by his own experiences with undiagnosed dyslexia, actor/director Henry Winkler presents "Hank Zipzer: The Mostly True Confessions of the World's Best Underachiever," a series about the adventures of a fourth-grader with learning differences. In this first book of the series, Hank is supposed to write an essay on how he spent the summer, but decides instead to "show" what he did.
* Rules by Cynthia Lord http://www.amazon.com/Rules-Cynthia-Lord/dp/0439443830/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF...
* Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko http://www.amazon.com/Al-Capone-Does-My-Shirts/dp/0142403709/ref=sr_1_1?...
* In His Shoes, A Short Journey Through Autism by Joanna Keating-Velasco http://www.amazon.com/Shoes-Short-Journey-Through-Autism/dp/1934575267/r...

Nonfiction

* Aaseng, Nathan. Multiple Sclerosis. Franklin Watts, 2000. Describes the symptoms, effects, and treatments of the neurological disease known as MS and tells the stories of several well-known people who have this disease.
* Burnett, Gail Lemley. Muscular Dystrophy. Enslow Publishers, 2000. Discusses the cause, symptoms, and treatment of muscular dystrophy and examines research into treatment and a possible cure.
* Clayton, Lawrence, and Jaydene Morrison. Coping with a Learning Disability. Hazelden Publishing & Educational Services, 1999. Guide for young adults in learning how to cope with the difficulties that come with having a learning disability.
* Corman, Richard. I Am Proud: The Athletes of Special Olympics. Barnes & Noble Books, 2003. Portrays the athletes' dignity, grace, and joy in competition and brings fresh perspective to a group of people too often defined by their perceived disabilities.
* Cummings, Rhoda Woods, and Gary L. Fisher. The Survival Guide for Teenagers With LD: Learning Differences. Free Spirit Publishing, 1993. A handbook with a positive outlook for teenagers who have learning differences on how to make friends, set goals, start a career, and manage other day-to-day pursuits.
* Dudley, Mark Edward. Epilepsy. Enslow Publishers, 2001. Discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy; the types of seizures; and challenges of living with this disease.
* Flodin, Mickey. Signing for Kids: The Fun Way for Anyone to Learn American Sign Language. Perigee Books, 1991. An introduction to the expressive language used by many deaf people to speak with their hands.
* Freedman, Russell. Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille. Clarion Books, 1999. A biography of the 19th-century Frenchman who, having himself been blinded at age 3, developed a system of raised dots on paper that enabled those who are blind to read and write.
* Gold, John Coopersmith. Cerebral Palsy. Enslow Publishers, 2001. Readers learn what life is like with cerebral palsy in this sensitive, scientific discussion of an incurable disorder that strikes about two in 1,000 infants yearly in the United States.
* Kent, Deborah, and Kathryn A. Quinlan. Extraordinary People With Disabilities. Children's Press, 1997. Collection of biographies of 48 famous people who have made great accomplishments despite their disability.
* Meyer, Donald, ed. Views From Our Shoes: Growing Up With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs. Woodbine House, 1997. Kids ranging in age from 4 to 18 share their experiences as the brother or sister of someone with a disability, including autism, cerebral palsy, development delays, attention deficit disorder, hydrocephalus, visual and hearing impairments, and Down and Tourette syndromes.
* Oleksy, Walter G. Christopher Reeve. Greenhaven Press, 2000. Discusses the personal life, acting career, and life-altering accident of the actor known for his role as Superman and for his efforts on behalf of people with spinal cord injuries.
* Rogers, Dale Evans. Angel Unaware. Revell, 1992. The story of a child born with Down syndrome—Robin Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of celebrities Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. This book sold more than 500,000 copies when first published in 1953.
* Stern, Judith, and Uzi Ben-Ami. Many Ways to Learn: Young People's Guide to Learning Disabilities. Magination Press, 1996. Describes different kinds of learning disabilities, explains that children with learning disabilities have average (if not above-average) intelligence, and discusses the many things kids can do to reach their goals.
* Weihenmayer, Erik. Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See. Plume Books, 2002. An adventure-packed memoir in which the author recalls rebelling against becoming blind by age 15, acquiring a passion for mountain climbing, and developing the character traits that enabled him to succeed. His experiences remind readers of what the blind and the sighted have in common.
* Williams, Donna. Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic. Perennial, 1994. Takes readers on a journey into the mind of a person who has autism, giving an insider's view of a little-understood condition and destroying many myths and misconceptions.
* Woodyard, Shawn, John Bradford, and Elizabeth Oakes. Resources for People With Disabilities: A National Directory, 2nd ed. Ferguson Publishing Company, 1998. The "yellow pages" for people with disabilities, this two-volume set provides information about resources pertaining to advocacy, assistive technology, organizations and associations, rehabilitation, and state programs, to name just a few.
* The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Aspergers-Syndrome/dp/1843106698/re...
* 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Paperback) by Veronica Zysk
* Inclusion: 450 Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide for All Educators Who Teach Students With Disabilities by Peggy A. Hammeken

Organizations and Web Sites

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1 IBM Plaza, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60611-3604
Telephone: 312-464-9700
Web site: http://www.aapmr.org

American Association of People With Disabilities
1629 K St. NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20006
Toll-free telephone (voice and TTY): 800-840-8844
Web site: http://www.aapd-dc.org

American Association on Mental Retardation
444 N. Capitol St. NW, Suite 846
Washington, DC 20001-1512
Toll-free telephone: 800-424-3688
Web site: http://www.aamr.org

American Council of the Blind
1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
Toll-free telephone: 800-424-8666
Web site: http://www.acb.org

American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Toll-free telephone: 800-232-5463
Web site: http://www.afb.org

American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Ave.
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
Telephone: 502-895-2405
Web site: http://www.aph.org

American Speech-Language- Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: 800-638-8255 (voice or TTY)
Web site: http://www.asha.org

The Arc of the United States
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: 301-565-3842
Web site: http://www.thearc.org

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
Toll-free telephone: 800-328-8476
Web site: http://www.autism-society.org

Brain Injury Association of America
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 611
McLean, VA 22102
Toll-free telephone: 800-444-6443
Web site: http://www.biausa.org

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
National Resource Center on AD/HD, toll-free telephone: 800-233-4050
Web site: http://www.chadd.org

DisabilityInfo.gov
Web site: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov

Disability Is Natural
BraveHeart Press
P.O. Box 7245
Woodland Park, CO 80863
Toll-free telephone: 866-948-2222
Web site: http://www. disabilityisnatural.com

Disabled American Veterans
P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301
Telephone: 859-441-7300
Web site: http://www.dav.org

Disabled Sports USA
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: 301-217-0960
Web site: http://www.dsusa.org

Easter Seals
230 W. Monroe St., Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll-free telephone: 800-221-6827
TTY: 312-726-4258
Web site: http://www.easterseals.com

ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education
1110 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201-5705
Toll-free telephone: 800-328-0272
Web site: http://www.ericec.org

Goodwill Industries International Inc.
15810 Indianola Drive
Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: 301-530-6500
Web site: http://www.goodwill.org

Guide Dogs for the Blind
P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
Toll-free telephone: 800-295-4050
Web site: http://www.guidedogs.com

Half the Planet Foundation
1875 Eye St. NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-429-6810
Web site: http://www.halftheplanet.org

Helping Hands
541 Cambridge St.
Boston, MA 02134
Telephone: 617-787-4419
Web site: http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org/

International Dyslexia Association
Chester Building, Suite 382
8600 LaSalle Road
Baltimore, MD 21286-2044
Toll-free telephone: 800-222-3123
Web site: http://www.interdys.org

Kids on the Block Inc.
9385-C Gerwig Lane
Columbia, MD 21046-2893
Toll-free telephone: 800-368-5437
Web site: http://www.kotb.com

Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
Telephone: 412-341-1515
Web site: http://www.ldanatl.org

Muscular Dystrophy Association--USA
National Headquarters
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718
Toll-free telephone: 800-572-1717
Web site: http://www.mdausa.org

National Association of the Deaf
814 Thayer Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
Telephone: 301-587-1788
TTY: 301-587-1789
Web site: http://www.nad.org

National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
1788 Second St., Suite 200
Highland Park, IL 60035
Telephone: 847-432-ADDA
Web site: http://www.add.org

National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Ave. South, Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016
Toll-free telephone: 888-575-7373
Web site: http://www.ncld.org

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
1640 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608-6904
Toll-free telephone (voice and TTY): 800-900-8086
Web site: http://www.ncpad.org

National Disability Sports Alliance
25 W. Independence Way
Kingston, RI 02882
Telephone: 401-792-7130
Web site: http://www.ndsaonline.org

National Down Syndrome Society
666 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Toll-free telephone: 800-221-4602
Web site: http://www.ndss.org

National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson St.
Baltimore, MD 21230-4998
Telephone: 410-659-9314
Web site: http://www.nfb.org

National Information Center for Children and Youth With Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20012-1492
Toll-free telephone (voice/TTY):
800-695-0285
Web site: http://www.nichcy.org

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20542
Toll-free telephone: 800-424-8567
TDD: 202-707-0744
Web site: http://www.loc.gov/nls

National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard St., 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Toll-free telephone: 800-969-6642
TTY: 800-433-5959
Web site: http://www.nmha.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
733 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10017
Toll-free telephone: 800-344-4867
Web site: http://www. nationalmssociety.org

National Organization on Disability
910 16th St. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-293-5960
TTY: 202-293-5968
Web site: http://www.nod.org

National Parent Network on Disabilities
1130 17th St. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-463-2299
Web site: http://www.npnd.org

National Rehabilitation Information Center
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Toll-free telephone: 800-346-2742 (voice); 301-495-5626 (TTY)
Web site: http://www.naric.com

Paralympics
U.S. Paralympics
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Telephone: 719-866-2030
Web site: http://www.paralympic.org

Special Olympics International
1325 G St. NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202-628-3630
Web site: http://www.specialolympics.org

United Cerebral Palsy
1660 L St. NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Toll-free telephone: 800-872-5827
TTY: 202-973-7197
Web site: http://www.ucp.org

United States Association of Blind Athletes
33 N. Institute St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Telephone: 719-630-0422
Web site: http://www.usaba.org

USA Deaf Sports Federation
102 N. Krohn Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57103-1800
Telephone: 605-367-5760
TTY: 605-367-5761
Web site: http://www.usadsf.org

Wheelchair Sports, USA
1668 320th Way
Earlham, IA 50072
Telephone: 515-833-2450
Web site: http://www.wsusa.org

www.wwswd.org

www.autismspeaks.org

Source of information: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-508.html

This page was last updated on: June 16, 2009 by Dave Exter.

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Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs

Background

Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs Documents

Other Reference Documents and Supporting Information on Disabilities and Special Needs