Scouting For Youth With Disabilities

The San Diego-Imperial Council recognizes that no two Scouts are exactly alike; each Scout is unique. Scouts are not machines who can be steered in exactly the same way, to have fun doing the same activities, or who learn in the same way from exactly the same instructions. Some Scouts need extra help from trained leaders.

The outcomes of the
Scouting experience
should be fun and
educational, and not just
relate to completing rank
requirements that might
place unrealistic
expectations on a
member who has
a disability.

A Scout is considered to have a "disability" if they

  • have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities - seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working,
  • have a record of such an impairment, or
  • are regarded as having such an impairment.

The outcomes of the
Scouting experience
should be fun and
educational, and not just
relate to completing rank
requirements that might
place unrealistic
expectations on a
member who has
a disability.

In the discretion of the Executive Board, and under such rules and regulations as it may prescribe upon consultation with appropriate medical authorities, registration of youth who are either intellectually disabled or severely physically handicapped, including the blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 11 as Cub Scouts and over age 18 as Scouts BSA, and registration of young adults who are either intellectually disabled or severely physically handicapped, including blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 21 as Venturers, and the participation of each in the respective advancement programs while registered, is authorized.1

Registering Qualified Members Beyond Age of Eligibility2

Youth and adults who are developmentally disabled, or youth with severe physical challenges, may be considered for registration beyond the age of eligibility for their program: age 11 or older for a Cub Scout, 18 or older as a Scouts BSA, or 21 or older as a Venturer or Sea Scout. An adult of any age who has developmental disabilities, for example, may be considered for youth membership and join Scouting if a qualified medical professional is able to correlate cognitive abilities to less than the upper limit of an eligibility age. Members approved to be so registered are indicated in the system with a disability code.

A disability, to qualify an individual for registration beyond the age of eligibility, must be permanent and so severe that it precludes advancement even at a rate significantly slower than considered normal. If ranks can be achieved under accommodations already provided in official literature, or with modifications as outlined below, then the disability probably does not rise to the level required.

This is often the case in considering advancement potential for youth who have only moderate learning disabilities or such disorders as ADD/ADHD. If ranks can be earned, but it just takes somewhat longer, registration beyond the age of eligibility is not warranted.

Note that registration beyond the age of eligibility is intended as a permanent arrangement to allow ongoing participation as a youth member in the Scouting program. This is different from a "time extension", which is available to a youth working toward the Eagle Scout rank should circumstances not due to their choice or fault arise that preclude achievement before their 18th birthday. Extensions of time are available only for the Eagle Scout and Quartermaster ranks, and for the Venturing Summit Award. Extensions have specific end dates and they may or may not involve disabilities.

Possible Criteria for Registering Beyond Age of Eligibility3

In considering registration beyond the age of eligibility, members with conditions such as those listed below may meet the severity requirement, but every case must be considered individually. If members are able to take advantage of the flexibility already built into Scouting advancement, and participate in essentially the same way as typical youth, then they must not be registered beyond the age of eligibility.

Examples of conditions that, if severe, may be criteria for registration beyond the age of eligibility include these:

  1. Autism spectrum disorders
  2. Blind or sight-impaired
  3. Deaf or hard of hearing
  4. Cognitive disability
  5. Developmental delay
  6. Down syndrome
  7. Emotional or behavioral disorder
  8. Physically disabled
  9. Traumatic Brain Injury
  10. Multiple coexisting disabilities

How to Register a Member Beyond Age of Eligibility4

To register a person who will remain as a youth member beyond the age of eligibility, the following documents must be assembled and submitted to the local council.

  1. A completed Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility.
  2. A letter from a parent or guardian describing the disability and its severity and permanence, and petitioning the council for approval of registration beyond the age of eligibility.
  3. A completed youth membership application (English, Spanish) or proof of current membership.
  4. A completed and signed Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & C).
  5. A signed statement from a qualified health professional attesting to the nature of the disability, its severity, and permanent limitations connected with it. For physical disabilities, this must be a licensed physician; for developmental or cognitive issues, a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, or as appropriate, a neurologist or other medical professional in a specialty related to the disability.
  6. A letter from the unit leader advocating and supporting the registration.
  7. Other supporting documentation, such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), treatment summaries, etc., which are optional, but can make a difference in the decision.

Young people approved for registration beyond the age of eligibility may continue working on advancement including the Eagle Scout rank and Eagle Palms, for as long as they continue to be so registered. The local council or the National Council, upon uncovering evidence that a youth was improperly registered with a disability code, or for whatever reason no longer meets the required level of severity, may make the decision to expire the registration. Registration of an adult as a youth member with a disability code may also be expired if it is determined the registrant has progresses sufficiently to be registered as an adult.

Advancement Flexibility Allowed5

Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers or Sea Scouts who have disabilities may qualify for limited flexibility in advancement. Allowances possible in each program are outlined below. It does not necessarily matter if a youth is approved to be registered beyond the age of eligibility. Experience tells us those members whose parents are involved, or at least regularly consulted, progress the farthest. Some units have also followed the example set by Individualized Education Plans, and have established "individual advancement plans" with the same benefits. A sample of such a plan can be found in Scouting for Youth with Disabilities, No. 34059 available at the Scout Shop.

Cub Scout Program Advancement:

There are no alternative guidelines for Cub Scout Advancement for Scouts with cognitive or emotional disabilities. However, some modifications may be made since many of the requirements are signed off by the parents. In keeping with the spirit of the alternative requirements suggested for the Scouts BSA program, I would suggest the following:

  1. Allow the Scout to complete as many standard requirements as possible.
  2. Any modification of requirements should be fostered by the motto "Do Your Best" and allow the Scout to perform at the highest level of their ability.
  3. The Unit leader and parents should determine appropriate modifications before starting the advancement process.

Scouts BSA Program Advancement:

For the Scouts BSA, all current requirements for an advancement award must be actually 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.

Guidelines for Pursuing Alternative Requirements

  1. The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than a temporary nature.
  2. A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout's disabilities must be submitted by a licensed physician. In the alternative, an evaluation statement certified by an educational administrator may be submitted. For cognitive/emotional disabilities, a statement from a licensed psychologist may be submitted. The statement must state the doctor's opinion that the Scout cannot complete the requirement(s) because of a permanent disability.
  3. The Scout, their parents, or leaders must submit to the council advancement committee, a written request that the Scout be allowed to complete alternative requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank. The request must explain the suggested alternate requirements in sufficient detail so as to allow the advancement committee to make a decision. The request must also include the medical statement required in paragraph two above. The written request for alternate requirements must be submitted to and approved by the local council prior to completing alternate requirements.
  4. The Scout must complete as many of the regular requirements as their ability permits before applying for alternate requirements.
  5. The alternate requirements must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the regular requirements.
  6. When alternate requirements involve physical activity, they must be approved by the physician.
  7. The unit leader and any board of review must explain that to attain Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank a candidate is expected to do their best in developing themself to the limit of their resources.
  8. The written request must be approved by the council advancement committee, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouting for disabled youth. The decision of the council advancement committee should be recorded and delivered to the Scout and their leader.

Alternate Merit Badges for the Eagle Scout Rank

  1. The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Scouts BSA or qualified Venturer 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 a temporary nature.
  3. A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout's disabilities 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 their ability permits before applying for an alternate Eagle Scout rank merit badge.
  5. The candidate must complete as many of the requirements of the required merit badges as their ability permits.
  6. The Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges must be completed prior to qualifying for alternate merit badges.
  7. The alternate merit badges chosen must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the required merit badges.
  8. When alternates chosen involve physical activity, they must be approved by the physician.
  9. The unit leader and the board of review must explain that to attain the Eagle Scout rank, a candidate is expected to do their best in developing themself to the limit of their resources.
  10. The application must be approved by the council committee responsible for advancement, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouting for people with special needs.
  11. 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 addition, there are a number of suggested alternatives for required merit badges that may provide a similar learning experience for the Scout. It is important for Unit leaders to use reasonable accommodation and common sense in the application of the alternate merit badge program. One reasonable accommodation is allowing for extended time to complete the requirements.

Resources

General

Advancement

Abilities Digest E-newsletter Archive

More resources are available at National Council's Disabilities Awareness - Serving Scouts With Disabilities page.

Questions and Information

If you have questions, or need more information, about Scouts with disabilities, contact Sean Roy at 619.298.6121 x215.

Wheelchair Gift

A generous person has made available a wheelchair as a gift to a needy Scout. Perhaps a wheelchair-bound Scout could put it to use as a switchout on campouts.

It is a model ZRA, manufactured by TiLite. There is a Fact Sheet, as well a couple of photos (Photo 1 and Photo 2).

If you are interested in learning more about this wheelchair, contact Sean Roy at 619.298.6121 x215.

References

  1. Guide to Advancement Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America Article XI. Business, Finance, Properties, Contracts, Registration Section 3. Special Types of Registration clause 20. Intellectually Disabled or Severely Physically Disabled Youth Members
  2. Guide to Advancement Section 10.1.0
  3. Guide to Advancement Section 10.1.0.1
  4. Guide to Advancement Section 10.1.0.2
  5. Guide to Advancement Section 10.2.0.0