The following are the guidelines for membership and advancement in Scouting for persons having disabilities or other special needs.
Advancement for Youth Members With Disabilities
There has been much confusion among volunteers and professionals
as to the rules and regulations regarding who qualifies, and—most
importantly—who doesn’t qualify for age exemption as a Scout with disabilities.
In an effort to clear up confusion, under Article XI, section
3,clause 20 of the BSA’s
Rules and
Regulations governing Special Types
of Registration, it states the following.
Mentally Retarded or Severely Physically Disabled Youth Members.
In the discretion of the
(National) Executive Board, and under such rules and regulations as it may
prescribe upon consultation with appropriate medical authorities, registration
of boys who are either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped,
including the blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 11 as Cub Scouts
and over age 18 as Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts, and registration of young
adults who are either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped,
including the blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 21 as Venturers,
and the participation of each in the respective advancement programs while
registered, is authorized.
The operative words are:
mentally retarded or severely physically
handicapped young people. Examples
of these medical conditions include:
• Down syndrome
• Legal blindness
• Severe autism
• People permanently confined to wheelchairs, i.e., someone who
is quadriplegic
• People who are deaf
The Annual Health and Medical Record form must be used as part
of the procedure for registering a severely physically disabled youth in
Scouting. Their medical condition must be certified with a signed statement from
a licensed physician. In the case of mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed
candidates, their condition must be certified by a statement signed by a
licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
This extension of age is not provided as a window of opportunity
for those who are less challenged such as someone who has a moderate learning
disability or for those who just can’t seem to advance within the normal time
restrictions. Individuals whose medical conditions are not as severe as defined
in clause 20 do not qualify for the age restriction exemption and must follow
the normal age requirements for advancement. If in doubt, contact the national
Youth Development office.
ions for Eagle
these reasons.
Advancement for Cub Scouts With Disabilities
The advancement program is so flexible that, with guidance, most
boys can do the skills. It might take longer for a youth with disabilities to
complete the requirements, but these accomplishments will be more personally
meaningful. 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 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 Tiger Cub and Cub Scout Immediate
Recognition Kits, 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.
Advancement for Boy Scouts With Disabilities
These guidelines apply to advancement for all Boy Scouts with
disabilities.
• 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 that are specifically stated in the requirements as set forth in the
current official literature of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Requests for alternate rank requirements for Tenderfoot,
Second Class, and First Class can be made using the information outlined in this
chapter.
• 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,” “collect, identify, and label,” and so on.
Alternate Requirements Through First Class Rank
A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability and is
unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or
First Class rank may submit a request to the council youth development committee
to complete alternate requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for
alternate requirements. To keep Scouts with disabilities as much in the
advancement mainstream as possible, some advancement accommodations may be
required. Thus, a Scout in a wheelchair can meet the requirements for hiking by
making a trip to a place of interest in his community. Giving more time and
permitting the use of special aids are other ways leaders can help Scouts with
disabilities in their efforts to advance. The substitute hould provide a
similar learning experience.
Bear in mind the outcome of the Scouting experience should be one of fun and
learning, and not completing requirements for rank advancements, which might
place unrealistic expectations on the Scout.
Advancement for Venturers With Disabilities
These guidelines apply to advancement for all Venturers with
disabilities.
• All current requirements for an advancement award must
actually be met by the candidate.
• There are no substitutions or alternatives permitted except
those that are specifically stated in the requirements as set forth in the
current official literature of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Requests for alternate rank requirements may be made using the
information outlined in this chapter.
• The Venturer is expected to meet the requirements as stated—no
more and no less. Furthermore, he or she is to do exactly what is stated. If it
says “show or demonstrate,” that is what he or she must do; just telling about
it isn’t enough. The same thing holds true for such words as “make,” “list,” “in
the field,” “collect, identify, and label,” and so on.
No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to
add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements.
Guidelines for Alternate Requirements
1. Do As Many Standard Requirements
As Possible.
Before applying for
alternate
requirements, the Scout must complete as
many of the standard requirements as his
ability permits. He must do his very best to
develop himself to the limit of his abilities
and resources.
2. Secure a Medical Statement.
A clear
and concise medical statement concerning
the Scout’s disabilities or limitations must
be submitted by a licensed health-care
provider. It must state that the disability is
permanent and must outline what physical
activities the Scout may not be capable of
completing. In the case of a mental disability
such as a learning disability, an evaluation
statement should be submitted by a certified
educational administrator relating the ability
level of the Scout.
3. Prepare a Request for Alternate
Requirements.
A written request
must be
submitted to the council youth development
committee for the Scout to work on alternate
requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class,
and First Class ranks. The request should
include the standard requirements the Scout
has completed and the suggested alternate
requirements for those requirements that he
cannot complete. This request should be
detailed enough for the youth development
committee to make an informed decision.
The request should be prepared by the Scout,
his parents, and his Scoutmaster, and should
include a copy of the medical or educational
statement as required in step 2.
4. The Youth Development Committee
Reviews the Request.
The council youth
development committee should review the
request, utilizing the expertise of professional
persons involved in Scouts with disabilities.
The committee may want to interview the
Scout, his parents, and the unit leader to
fully understand the request and to make a
fair determination. The committee’s decision
should be recorded and delivered to the
Scout and the unit leader.
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Approval for Special Needs
Eagle Candidates
These guidelines apply only to those who are qualified for
the age restriction exemption.
When submitting an Eagle application for special needs
Eagle candidates over the age of 18, written documentation
of approval must be given by the council youth development
committee and council executive board that the Eagle Scout
candidate is over the age of 18 and has met the qualifications
for a special needs Scout as stated in Article XI, section 3,
clause 20 of the BSA’s
Rules and Regulations
governing
Special Types of Registration. The Scout executive must
attach a letter to the application indicating that the executive
board has approved the application.
Alternate Merit Badges for the
Eagle Scout Rank
These guidelines must be followed when determining
appropriate alternate merit badges for the Eagle Scout rank.
1. The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Boy Scout,
Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer and Sea Scout 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.
2. The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent
rather than of a temporary nature.
3. A clear and concise medical statement concerning
the Scout’s disabilities and limitations must be
made by a physician licensed to practice medicine,
or an evaluation statement must be certified by an
educational administrator.
4. The candidate must earn as many of the required merit
badges as his ability permits before applying for an
alternate Eagle Scout rank merit badge.
5.
The Application
for Alternate Eagle Scout Award
Merit Badges must be completed prior to qualifying
for alternate merit badges.
6. The alternate merit badges chosen must be of such a
nature that they are as demanding of effort as the
required merit badges.
7. When alternates chosen involve physical activity, they
must be approved by the physician.
8. The unit leader and the board of review must explain
that to attain the Eagle Scout rank, a candidate is
expected to do his best in developing himself to the
limit of his resources.
9. The application must be approved by the council youth
development committee, utilizing the expertise of
professional persons involved in Scouting for people
with disabilities.
10. The candidate’s application for Eagle must be made on
the Eagle Scout Rank Application, with the Application
for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges attached.
* 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.
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