text: Scouts With Disabilities and Special Needs
  Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has had fully
  participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.
  Dr. James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive, was himself disabled.
  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 blind
  Scouts; and closed-caption training videos have been produced. In 1965,
  registration of over-age Scouts with mental retardation became possiblea
  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 is that they
  want most to participate like other youthand Scouting gives them that
  opportunity. Thus, much of the program for Scouts with disabilities 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 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 identical
  disabilitiessuch as an all-blind Boy Scout troop or an all-deaf Cub
  Scout packbut these disabled members are encouraged to participate
  in Scouting activities at the district, council, area, regional, and
  national levels along with other Scouts. 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 approximately 315 BSA local councils have established their
  own advisory committees for Scouts with disabilities. These committees
  develop and coordinate an effective Scouting program for youth with
  disabilities, using all available community resources. Local councils
  also are encouraged to provide accessibility in their camps by removing
  physical barriers so that Scouts with disabilities can participate in
  summer and resident camp experiences. Some local councils also have
  professional staff members responsible for the program for members
  Advancement Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
  with disabilities participate in the same program as do their peers.
  The BSA's policy has always been to treat members with disabilities
  as much like other members as possible, but it has been traditional to
  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 BSA 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 Y2K,
  This policy is designed to keep Scouts with disabilities as much in
  the mainstream as possible. Practical suggestions are made to leaders
  as to approaches and methods they can use. Thus, a Scout 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 Scouts with disabilities
  in their efforts to advance; the unit leader plays a crucial role in
  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,
  audiovisuals aids, and media in braille for Scouts with disabilities and
  Each year, the BSA awards the national Woods Services Award to an adult
  in Scouting for serving disabled youth (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 award is presented to that
  individual who has demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in the
  field of Scouting for disabled people. The Torch of Gold Award is available
  for similar presentation by local councils.
  Other national support projects include materials relating to disabled
  people in the National Camping School syllabi as well as production of
  special manuals on Scouting for youth with emotional disabilities, learning
  disabilities, hearing impairment, physical disabilities, visual impairment,
  and mental retardation. A weeklong training course for people working with
  Scouts with disabilities is offered each summer at the Philmont Training
  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. Recent
  Scout jamborees have continued this tradition. Some local councils hold
  handicamporees and jamborettes that feature camping and outdoor activities
  for Scouts with disabilities.
  An interpreter strip for Signing for the Deaf can be earned by all
  Requirements and merit badge pamphlet for a Disabilities Awareness merit
  badge were published in 1981 and revised in 1993. The purpose of this merit
  badge is to help many thousands of America's youth develop a positive
  attitude toward individuals with disabilities. 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 helps produce changes in the attitudes of America's
  youth as these boys pursue new experiences then share their new knowledge
  In 1995, alternate requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First
  Class ranks were established. These requirements can be found in the
  "Scoutmaster's Guide to Working with Scouts with Disabilities" (No.
  Additional information and lists of literature and other aids are
  available from the Boy Scout Division, Cub Scout Division, and Council
  Services Division at the Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill
  Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.