The following are the guidelines for
membership and advancement in Scouting for persons having disabilities or other
special needs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
( ADA ) provides the following definition of an individual
with a disability:
"An individual is considered to have a
'disability' if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more major life activities (e.g., . . seeing, hearing, speaking,
walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and
working), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an
impairment."
"An individual with epilepsy,
paralysis, HIV infection, AIDS, a substantial hearing or visual impairment,
mental retardation, or a specific learning disability, is covered, but an
individual with a minor, nonchronic condition of short duration, such as a
sprain, broken limb, or the flu would not be covered by the ADA."
"The ADA definition
protects individuals with a record of a disability and would cover, for example,
a person who has recovered from cancer or mental illness."
"And the ADA protects
individuals who are regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment,
even though they may not have such an impairment. For example ... a qualified
individual with a severe facial disfigurement is protected from being denied
employment because an employer feared the, negative reactions' of customers or
co-workers."
The Department of Education identifies a
severely handicapped child as one who, because of the intensity of his
physical, mental, or emotional problems, or a combination of such problems,
needs education, social, psychological, and medical services beyond those that
have been offered by traditional regular and special educational programs, in
order to maximize his full potential for useful and meaningful participation in
society and for self-fulfillment. Such children include those classified as
seriously emotionally disturbed or profoundly and severely mentally retarded,
and those with two or more serious handicapping conditions, such as the
mentally retarded blind, and the cerebral-palsied deaf.
The chartered organizations using Scouting
determine, with approval of appropriate medical authorities, whether a youth
member is qualified to register (based on the above definitions) beyond the
normal registration age. The Cubmaster's signature on the Cub Scout
Application, the Scoutmaster's signature on the Boy Scout Application, the
Varsity Scout Coach's signature on the Varsity Scout Application, and the
Advisor's or Skippers signature on the Explorer Application, or on the unit's
charter renewal application certify the approval of the chartered organization
for the person to register. The local council must approve these registrations
on an individual basis.
The medical condition of all candidates for
membership beyond the normal registration age must be certified by a physician
licensed to practice medicine, or an evaluation statement must be certified by
an educational administrator. Use the Personal Health and Medical Record Form.
Any corrective measures, restrictions, limitations, or abnormalities must be
noted. In the case of mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed candidates for
membership, their condition must be certified by a statement signed by a
licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. Current health, medical, or
certification records of all youth members beyond the normal registration age
who have disabilities are to be retained in the unit file at the council
service center.
The advancement program is so flexible that,
with guidance, most boys can do the skills. Advancement requirements should not
be watered down or eliminated for boys with disabilities, although the speed at
which requirements are completed and the means of explaining them might need to
be adjusted and simplified. It might take longer for a disabled boy to earn his
awards, but he will appreciate them more knowing he has made the effort. The
standard for every boy is "Has he done his best?"
A Cub Scout who is physically disabled may
be given permission by the Cubmaster and pack committee to substitute electives
for a few of the achievement requirements that are beyond his abilities. It is
best to include parents in this process of determining substitutions since they
are most familiar with their son's abilities.
Immediate recognition of advancement is even
more important for boys with disabilities. The Immediate Recognition Kit, the
den doodle, and the Den Advancement Chart all help provide immediate
recognition in den meetings as achievements and electives are completed.
Remember that a month seems like a long time to a boy and that completing
requirements for a badge might seem like forever to him. Be sure to give him
periodic recognition at pack meetings when he earns a badge.
While leaders must be enthusiastic about
helping youngsters with disabilities, they must at the same time fully
recognize the special demands that will be made on their patience,
understanding, and skill in teaching advancement requirements.
All current requirements for an advancement
award (ranks, merit badges, or Eagle Palms) must actually be met by the
candidate. There are no substitutions or alternatives permitted except those
which are specifically stated in the requirements as set forth in the current
official literature of the Boy Scouts of America. Requests can be made for
alternate rank requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class using
the information outlined in this chapter. No council, district, unit, or
individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement
requirements. The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated-no more
and no less. Furthermore, he is to do exactly what is stated. If it says,
"show or demonstrate," that is what he must do. Just telling about it
isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make",
"list," "'in the field", and "collect, identify, and
label."
A Scout who is unable to
complete any or all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First
Class rank because he is physically or mentally disabled may complete
alternative requirements if the following criteria are met:
The council committee responsible for
advancement must then secure approval of the council executive board. The Scout
executive must attach a letter to the application indicating that the executive
board has approved the application.
The candidate's application for the award
must be made on the Eagle Scout Rank Application or Quartermaster Award Application
and recorded on the Advancement Report form.
In the application of these policies for
Scouts with special needs, reasonable accommodation in the performance of
requirements for advancement may be made. These may include such things as the
extension of time, adaptation of facilities, or the use of equipment or
necessary devices consistent with the known physical or mental limitations of
the handicapped individual. It is urged that common sense be employed.
Certification must be given
by the appropriate local council committee responsible for advancement that
each Eagle Scout candidate over the age of 18 and Quartermaster candidate over
the age of 21 has met the requirements as stated in the current official
literature of the Boy Scouts of America. (A representative of the council
advancement committee must be a member of the Eagle board of review.)
This annual award was established to
recognize volunteers who have performed exceptional service and leadership in
the field of Scouts with disabilities. Nomination forms are sent annually to
councils every September with a December 31 deadline. One person is selected
each spring for national recognition.
This is for local council use in recognizing
adults for outstanding service to youth with disabilities. Order No. 33733.
* In order for an Explorer to be an Eagle
candidate, he must have achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity
Scout.
BSA #
33215C © 1999, 2003 Revision
A Scout who is unable to complete any or all
of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank because
he is physically or mentally disabled may complete alternative requirements if
the following criteria are met:
*In order for a Venturer to
be an Eagle candidate, he must have achieved the First Class rank as a Boy
Scout or Varsity Scout.
(page 33).....Note: Alternate requirements
for the Tenderfoot rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental
disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements
book, No. 33215.
(page 64).....(1b) Using a compass and a map
together, take a 5-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult
leader and your parent or guardian.*
*If you use a wheelchair or crutches, or if
it is difficult for you to get around, you may substitute "trip" for
"hike."
(page 65).....(7b) Demonstrate your ability
to jump feet first into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25
feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply; resume swimming, then return to your
starting place. *
*This requirement may be waived by the troop
committee for medical or safety reasons.
(page 65).....Note: Alternate requirements
for the Second Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental
disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements
book, No. 33215.
(page 113).....(9b)
Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.*
*This requirement may be waived by the troop
committee for medical or safety reasons.
(page 113).....(9c) Demonstrate survival
skills by leaping into deep water wearing clothes (shoes, socks, swim trunks,
long pants, belt, and long-sleeved shirt). Remove shoes and socks, inflate the
shirt, and show that you can float using the shirt for support. Remove and
inflate the pants for support. Swim 50 feet using the inflated pants for
support, then show how to reinflate the pants while using them for support.*
*This requirement may be waived by the troop
committee for medical or safety reasons.
(page 113).....Note: Alternate requirements
for the First Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental
disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements
book, No. 33215.
(page 181).....Note: If you have a permanent
physical or mental disability you may become an Eagle Scout by qualifying for
as many required merit badges as you can and qualifying for alternative merit
badges for the rest. If you seek to become an Eagle Scout under this procedure,
you must submit a special application to your local council service center.
Your application must be approved by your council advancement committee before
you can work on alternative merit badges.
This application includes the
necessary information to properly apply for alternate merit badges on the route
to Eagle Scout. Below, you will find the steps to follow from the initiation of
the application to the awarding of the Eagle Scout rank
*in order for a Venturer to
be an Eagle Scout candidate, he must have achieved First Class rank as a Boy
Scout or Varsity Scout.
The Eagle Scout Award may be
achieved by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer (candidate) who
has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternate merit badges.
This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges
are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated.
A recipient of the Eagle
Scout Award is a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Explorer who applies
the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. He has achieved the
qualities listed below because of determination and persistence through the
advancement program.
*in order for a Venturer to
be an Eagle Scout candidate, he must have achieved First Class rank as a Boy
Scout or Varsity Scout.
Although a boy might be disabled in body or
mind, he is still a boy-no less and no more-and if he is capable of
understanding the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack, he may be a Cub Scout.
Working with boys with disabilities might mean adapting or extending the
ordinary program of activities in order to make it as enjoyable and worthwhile
as possible.
Registration in Cub Scouting of boys over
age I I who are either mentally or physically disabled, including visually and
hearing impaired and emotionally disturbed boys, is permitted, as is their
participation in Cub Scout advancement while so registered.
I Want to Join
Some boys will seek you out and ask to join.
But most, because of their disabilities, shyness, or restricted mobility, will
depend on the interest and enthusiasm of others to introduce Cub Scouting to
them. It might be their friends who are already Cub Scouts, or their parents
who are seeking to enrich their life.
Spreading the news about the opportunities
Cub Scouting offers to all boys is best done by people who are interested
enough to let it be known that such boys are welcome in the pack. Every leader
should make the effort. You might see a boy in the park or on the street in a
wheelchair or in a leg brace. You might hear about a boy with a disability from
other people. How you hear about such a boy isn't as important as what you do
about it. Get in touch with him and invite him to join.
There Is a Place
Medical and rehabilitation opinion
encourages children with disabilities to lead as normal a life as possible.
Where it is possible to do so, many are absorbed into mainstream schools,
although many are also in special schools. In Cub Scouting, we integrate boys
with disabilities into ordinary packs whenever possible. And of course there are
packs established in special schools or at hospitals for boys being treated
there.
As a Cub Scout leader you might feel
hesitant about facing the opportunity to accept a boy with a disability into
your den or pack. But consider for a moment how a disability can in itself be a
barrier to many activities enjoyed by other boys. This is true even when the
boy has considerable skills, abilities, and moral strength. Scouting has, over
the years, made thousands of boys happier than they would otherwise have been,
by accepting them for what they are, what they can contribute, and by offering
them the friendship and encouragement they need.
These guidelines will be helpful:
Note: Reading Understanding Cub Scouts
with Disabilities will help leaders understand how to work with the
disabled boys in the pack.
The advancement program is so flexible that,
with guidance, most boys can do the skills. Advancement requirements should not
be watered down or eliminated for boys with disabilities, although the speed at
which requirements are completed and the means of explaining them might need to
be adjusted and simplified. It might take longer for a disabled boy to earn his
awards, but he will appreciate them more by knowing he has made the effort. The
standard for every boy is "Has he done his best?"
A Cub Scout who is physically disabled may
be given permission by the Cubmaster and pack committee to substitute electives
for a few of the achievement requirements that are beyond his abilities. It is
best to include parents in this process of determining substitutions since they
are most familiar with their son's abilities.
Immediate recognition of advancement is even
more important for boys with disabilities. The Immediate Recognition Kit, the
den doodle, and the Den Advancement Chart all help provide immediate
recognition in den meetings as achievements and electives are completed.
Remember that a month seems like a long time to a boy and that completing
requirements for a badge might seem like forever to him. Be sure to give him
periodic recognition at den meetings and prompt recognition at pack meetings
when he earn a badge.
While leaders must be enthusiastic about
helping youngsters with disabilities, they must at the same time fully
recognize the special demands that will be made on their patience,
understanding, and skill in teaching advancement requirements.
The aim of Cub Scouting for the boy with a
disability is to keep everything as near normal as possible with a program
designed to achieve its objectives to serve all boys.
One Cub Scout said: "I have epilepsy.
What's your disability?" Right to the point! Every one of us has some type
of disability-it might be a poor attitude, a poor sense of responsibility, or
something else that keeps us from doing things other people can do. It helps to
remember this when working with these special boys. What's your disability?
There are limitations to what a boy with a
disability will be able to do, and he himself is aware of these. Boisterous
games or activities that require vigorous physical stamina might be beyond his
capability. He needs quiet encouragement and opportunities to do the things he
can do. Such a boy could be given the job of assisting with the scoring or
helping by acting as a judge or referee. Boys in wheelchairs can go on hikes,
with some of the other boys taking turns as pushers.
One of the first steps in working with boys
who have disabilities is to realize they are more like other boys than they are
different. Find out their abilities as well as their limitations. Plan
activities in which all boys can participate. These boys are just as eager for
adventure as other boys, and they need challenges to have a satisfying
experience.
So a new den member who has special needs
should be welcomed into a den with other boys, and spend some time acquainting
them with his disability. An awareness game is a good way to build
understanding.
The Boy Scouts of America has several
resources available to leaders of boys with disabilities. including Understanding
Cub Scouts with Disabilities .
Registration of boys over age 11 who are
either mentally or severely physically disabled, including those with visual,
hearing, or emotional impairments, with full participation as Cub Scouts in the
advancement program, may be authorized as follows:
The chartered organization determines, with
the approval of appropriate medical authorities, whether a youth member with a
disability is qualified to register beyond the normal registration age. The
Cubmaster's signature on the boy's Cub Scout application or on the unit's
charter renewal application certifies the approval of the chartered
organization. The following guidelines must be adhered to:
For additional information on membership and
advancement of Cub Scouts with disabilities, check with your local council
service center.