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Fact Sheet:
Boy Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs
Boy Scouts of America's National Council
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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 blind; and closed-caption training videos have been produced
for those who are deaf. In 1965, registration of over-age Scouts
with mental retardation became possible—a privilege now extended
to many people with disabilities.
Today, approximately 100,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and
Venturers with disabilities are registered with the Boy Scouts
of America in more than 4,000 units chartered to community
organizations.
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-blind Boy Scout
troop or an all-deaf 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 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 described in Boy Scout Requirements 2005, No.
33215A.
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
syllabi as well as production of special manuals on Scouting for
youth with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities,
physical disabilities, visual impairment, and mental retardation
and those who are deaf. A weeklong 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 nondisabled 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 handicamporees 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.
More Information
Additional information and lists of literature and other
aids are available from the Boy Scout Division, Cub Scout
Division, Venturing Division, and District and Council Resources
at the Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O.
Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.
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