Articles on Scouting with special needs and disabilities
An edited version of this article also appears in the May/June 2020 issue of Advancement News. Physical disabilities can be accommodated in most cases by an open-minded reading of the requirement, keeping in mind the intent and learning objective of the requirement. Demonstrate/Show – There are many requirements that use the word demonstrate or show. ... Continue Reading →
An edited version of this article also appear in the May/June 2020 issue of Advancement News. Physical disabilities require thorough advance preparation. Every kind of mobility equipment has limitations and, even with mobility equipment, there are places a Scout cannot go unless access provisions are made in advance. There are many activities that a Scout... Continue Reading →
This story has been shared with Scouters nationwide by Charles Dahlquist, National Commissioner, in a recent issue of Scouting Magazine. Joe could be any Scout. This particular Scout attended the National Scout Jamboree last year. While we all face our daily challenges, Joe faces a lot more than most Jamboree attendees. He arrived with a motorized... Continue Reading →
"Scout Jay has serious vision impairment, but he's really excited about the Astronomy Merit Badge. Can he earn it?" Substitute any merit badge for "Astronomy" and you have a common but tricky question. The answer lies in the exact written requirements. Scout Jay must meet the requirements exactly as written, no more and no less. If... Continue Reading →
Beginning in 2001, every Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill included a one-armed archery activity. At the Fort, it used a special one-handed bow-and-arrow fixture in a quonset hut as part of the disAbilities Awareness Challenge. When the Jamboree moved to the Summit in 2013 there was no enthusiasm for installing the fixture on... Continue Reading →
Scouters from all councils are invited attend a bilingual Wood Badge course couducted in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). The Great Salt Lake Council offers this course July 9-14, 2018, at the Monson Training Lodge. More information can be found at https://www.saltlakescouts.org/woodbadge. The course uses a modified curriculum to enable and encourage both... Continue Reading →
Deaf and hard of hearing Scouts, Scouters and family members present new challenges for many units. Units, districts and councils aren't legally obligated to provide a sign language interpreter for deaf participants, and often can't afford a professional, certified interpreter. Yet we want to include everyone in the Scouting experience. We benefit both deaf and... Continue Reading →
Scott Hellen, a National Jamboree staffer with limited mobility, shares observations on his Jamboree experience. We all have preconceived expectations of what our first time on staff at a National Jamboree will be like. I was looking forward to working hundreds of Scouts from around the country and abroad as they came through the Disabilities... Continue Reading →
The recent issue of Scouting published a feature article on Scouting for youth with special needs (March-April 2017, vol 105, no 2). It is now available online. The article gives examples of working successfully with youth who have special needs and talks about BSA's resources and activities at the national level to support this work.
Special needs advocates at the National Capital Area Council have developed this handy table to summarize advancement accommodations available to Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts with special needs.
