Scouting for the DisabledScouting for the Disabled

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Why Scouting for the disabled?

Disabilities you may encounter.

Issues you may encounter.

Alternate Advancement - Cubs

Alternate Advancement - First Class and Below

Alternate Advancement - Eagle Scout Rank

Alternate Advancement - Venturing

Alternate Advancement - Sea Scouting

Alternate Age Requirements

Resources

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Why Scouting for the disabled?

• If you assume that Scouting is good for youth, then clearly it must be good for physically disabled youth.

• Many disabled children live in isolation from the rest of the world. Scouting may be their only recreational activity and their only contact with others of their age.

• Scouting teaches the disabled skills that will help them prepare for life as an adult in our society.

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Disabilities you may encounter.

Physical Disabilities - Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Muscular Atrophy, Limb Deformities, Epilepsy

Hearing Disabilities - Hard of Hearing, Postlingual Deafness, Prelingual Deafness

Mental Retardation - Low IQ, Poor Adaptive Skills, Mental Age of a Child

Learning Disabilities - Problem in Read, Writing, or Math, Problems with Coordination, Social Skills, and Self Control.

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Issues you may encounter.

• Should the child be placed in a regular unit or in a special unit.

• Parents that do not want to help you.

• Parents that are over protective.

• How the other members will treat the child.

• Events that the child can not participate in.

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Alternate Advancement - Cubs

• A boy’s performance in Cub Scouts is determined by his parents. When they think that a child has done his best they should discuss alternative requirements with the Cubmaster.

• Requirements for advancement may be substituted by the Cubmaster. However, the boy should be encouraged to go as far as he can with the regular requirements.

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Alternative Advancement - First Class and Below

• The disability must be permanent in nature.

•A statement of the nature of the disability is required from a licensed health-care provider or school administrator.

• All other requirements for the rank must have been completed.

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Alternative Advancement - First Class and Below

• A letter detailing the suggested alternative requirements must be submitted to the council advancement committee.

• The alternative requirements must be approved and recorded by the council advancement committee.

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Alternative Advancement - Eagle Scout Rank

• The disability must be permanent in nature.

• A statement of the nature of the disability is required from a licensed health-care provider or school administrator.

• The child must have completed as many of the required merit badges as his ability permits.

• The child must complete as many of the requirements of the required merit badges as his ability permits.

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Alternative Advancement - Eagle Scout Rank

• The Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges (No. 85-730) must be submitted prior to earning alternative Merit Badges.

• The alternative requirements must be approved and recorded by the council advancement committee.

• The Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges (No. 85-730) and all supporting documentation must be attached to the Eagle Scout Rank Application and sent to the National Council.

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Alternative Advancement - Venturing

• According to Charles Holms, the BSA director of Venturing, there is no official policy in place at this time. One is currently under development.

• As the requirements for advancement in Venturing are very diverse, there should be not difficulty in selecting options that will fit with the youth’s disability.

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Alternative Advancement - Sea Scouting

• According to Charles Holms, also the BSA director of Sea Scouting, there is no official policy in place at this time. One is currently under development.

• Accommodation may be difficult as the advancement requirements for Sea Scouting are rather technical and very specific. Refer to the Safe Scouting booklet, other BSA references, and use your common sense.

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Alternate Age Requirements

• The charter organization can determine that a youth is qualified to register beyond the normal registration age.

• The local council must approve these registrations on an individual basis.

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Resources

A Scoutmaster’s Guide to Working with Scouts with Disabilities.

Boy Scouts of America, © 2002

#33056A

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Resources

Scouting for Youth with Physical Disabilities

Boy Scouts of America, © 1971

#33057B

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Resources

Scouting for the Hearing Impaired

Boy Scouts of America, © 1999

#33061A

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Resources

Scouting for Youth with Mental Retardation

Boy Scouts of America, ©1975

#33059B

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Resources

Scouting for Youth with Learning Disabilities

Boy Scouts of America, © 2001

#33065A