Advancing with a disability or special need

10.0.0.0. A member has a disability or special need Milestone

Youth and adults with special needs or disabilities are welcome in Scouting America. Where knowledgeable parents, guardians or volunteers can provide assistance and oversight, almost anyone can be a member.

10.1.0.0. Involve the parent or guardian, and keep them involved Recommended Task

Experience tells the Guide that members whose parents or guardians are involved, or at least regularly consulted, progress the farthest.

10.1.0.0. Consider an Individual Scout Advancement Plan Recommended Document

Some units have followed the example set by Individualized Education Plans and established an individual Scout advancement plan with the same benefits. A sample, No. 512-936, is in the appendix at 11.5.0.0 and at scouting.org/advancement.

10.1.0.0. Which program the member is in decides the route Decision

Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts with disabilities may all qualify for limited flexibility in advancement, but the mechanism and the approver differ by program.

Usually comes after 10.0.0.0. A member has a disability or special need.

10.1.1.0. Cub Scouting: the standard is "has the Cub Scout done their best?" May not apply Task

Cub Scout advancement is flexible enough that, with guidance, most Cub Scouts with disabilities can complete requirements as they stand. It may take longer to attempt them and demonstrate their best.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.0.0. Which program the member is in decides the route.

10.1.2.0. Scouts BSA: requirements are met as written, no more and no less May not apply Requirement

Members must meet current requirements as written for merit badges, all ranks and Eagle Palms, and do exactly what is stated. If it says "show or demonstrate", telling is not enough. The same holds for "make", "list", "in the field", "collect", "identify" and "label".

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Usually comes after 10.1.0.0. Which program the member is in decides the route.

The advancement program is meant to challenge its members. Scouts with special needs and disabilities need to learn from striving for something too, and not all of them will achieve everything they want to, which is equally true of Scouts without a disability.

10.1.3.0. Venturing and Sea Scouts: does the crew's or ship's program fit? May not apply Decision

A Venturer-age or Sea Scout-age youth with disabilities, with a parent or guardian, must consider the programs individual crews and ships actually run, because the activities have to fit within their capabilities. A conversation with the Advisor or Skipper reveals what is possible. Crews are generally able to offer more flexibility than ships, where safety concerns aboard a vessel can present barriers that are difficult or impossible to overcome.

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Usually comes after 10.1.0.0. Which program the member is in decides the route.

10.1.2.1. Level one: read the requirement open-mindedly May not apply Decision

The simplest of the three allowances, and the one to try first. Learn about the Scout and how the disability affects them; if the requirement can be met as written but in an unconventional or creative way, that is sufficient and nothing further is needed.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.0. Scouts BSA: requirements are met as written, no more and no less.

10.1.3.1. Working on Star, Life, Eagle or Palms: the Scouts BSA procedure applies May not apply Requirement

Qualified Venturers and Sea Scouts with disabilities who are working on Star, Life or Eagle ranks, or Eagle Palms, must meet the same requirements and follow the same procedures as Scouts BSA: the Guide points especially at alternative merit badges.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.3.0. Venturing and Sea Scouts: does the crew's or ship's program fit?.

10.1.3.2. Venturing ranks: same process, 21st birthday, Venturing expertise Optional May not apply Task

Requests for alternative requirements for the Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder and Summit ranks, and for the various Venturing awards, use the same process as 10.1.2.5. The disability must be expected to last more than two years or beyond age 21, and the council advancement committee must involve an adult with thorough knowledge of Venturing advancement and awards. Unless the Venturer is registered beyond the age of eligibility, alternatives are completed by the 21st birthday.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.3.0. Venturing and Sea Scouts: does the crew's or ship's program fit?.

10.1.3.3. Sea Scout ranks: same process, 21st birthday, Sea Scout expertise Optional May not apply Task

Sea Scout requirements are specific, are not based on interchangeable merit badges, and build from rank to rank, so the member and their parent or guardian should review them with ship leaders to judge whether advancement is feasible with reasonable flexibility. If the leaders agree, the process at 10.1.2.5 applies, with an adult of thorough Sea Scout knowledge involved in the council decision, and a 21st birthday deadline unless registered beyond the age of eligibility.

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Usually comes after 10.1.3.0. Venturing and Sea Scouts: does the crew's or ship's program fit?.

10.1.2.2. Level two: an accommodation, changes HOW, approved in the unit May not apply Often forgotten Task

An accommodation changes how the requirement is completed without changing the requirement itself. It is authorised at unit level (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster or merit badge counselor), and requires no supplemental documentation of any kind.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

An accommodation needs no supplemental documentation and no approval outside the unit. Asking a family for a doctor's letter to justify extra time or a hearing aid adds a barrier the Guide does not.

10.1.2.3. Level three: a modification, changes WHAT, council only Optional May not apply Often forgotten Approval

A modification is a change in the requirement itself, or the substitution of one requirement task for another. It is appropriate when a disability makes a requirement impossible or nearly impossible. Modifications are not permitted at unit level and need approval in advance from the council advancement committee.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

A modification approved inside a unit is not approved. Only the council advancement committee may approve one, and it must be approved in advance.

10.1.2.4. Alternative requirements: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class Optional May not apply Milestone

The route for a member who cannot complete all the requirements for one of the first four ranks. Also open to youth with longer-term medical conditions, such as those following a severe injury, who want to keep advancing during treatment and recovery.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.3. Level three: a modification, changes WHAT, council only.

Normally it is expected that youth with only moderate learning disabilities, or such disorders as ADD or ADHD, can complete standard requirements, albeit more slowly. The Guide states this in terms.

10.1.2.6. Alternative merit badges for the Eagle Scout rank Optional May not apply Milestone

Where a youth with special needs cannot complete an Eagle-required merit badge, they may request approval for an alternative badge they can complete. The basis is substituting one merit badge with a similar learning experience and level of challenge for another.

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Usually comes after 10.1.2.3. Level three: a modification, changes WHAT, council only.

10.1.2.5. Make a good-faith attempt at the requirement first Recommended May not apply Often forgotten Task

In some cases it is obvious that a Scout cannot do a requirement, but often it is not obvious until they have tried. The Guide states its reason plainly: Scouts regularly surprise their leaders and parents by doing more than the adults expected.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

10.1.2.4. An alternative is a modified requirement, or a substitute task May not apply Decision

It can be a modified version of the original (a shorter hike or swim, a flotation aid, prompts for something that has to be memorised), or a complete substitution of a task the Scout can do for one they cannot. No Scout can be asked to do the impossible, but an alternative must provide a similar learning experience and a similar level of challenge to what any non-disabled Scout would meet.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.4. Alternative requirements: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class.

10.1.2.6. Do as much as possible on the Eagle-required badge first May not apply Task

A Scout must, before an alternative is requested. Eagle-required merit badges teach crucial life skills, every Scout should get as far as they can in each of those areas, and they may surprise their leaders by managing more than expected. How much was achieved is then taken into account when the substitute is chosen.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.6. Alternative merit badges for the Eagle Scout rank.

10.1.2.6. Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges May not apply Document

Available at scouting.org/advancement. It must identify the badges the Scout cannot do and suggest alternatives for them, and be accompanied by supporting letters from the unit leader, a parent or guardian and the Scout if possible, plus a written statement from a qualified health professional describing the disability, capabilities, limitations and prognosis.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

10.1.2.5. The unit leader or a troop committee member submits the request May not apply Document

A written request goes to the council advancement committee. Requests can be made at more than one point in a Scout's career, so that they can make progress now while leaving room for future growth or for changes in the disability to come to light.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.4. An alternative is a modified requirement, or a substitute task, 10.1.3.2. Venturing ranks: same process, 21st birthday, Venturing expertise and 10.1.3.3. Sea Scout ranks: same process, 21st birthday, Sea Scout expertise.

10.1.2.6. District advancement committee first, then council May not apply Often forgotten Approval

The completed form is sent first to the district advancement committee and is routed from there to the council advancement committee. Sending it straight to the council skips a step the Guide states.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.6. Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges.

District first, then council. A form sent straight to the council has skipped a step the Guide states.

10.1.2.5. The council advancement committee reviews and decides May not apply Approval

The same body decides alternative rank requirements and alternative Eagle merit badges. It is not restricted to approving or refusing what was put in front of it: it may approve in part, approve with changes, or set a future date to reconsider so the Scout has time to grow. Where a family is asked to wait, they must be told how long.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.5. The unit leader or a troop committee member submits the request and 10.1.2.6. District advancement committee first, then council.

10.1.2.5. Return or destroy the supporting private information May not apply Often forgotten Task

Once the decision has been recorded and delivered, the supporting private information goes back to its source: the parent or guardian, or the institution that provided it. If there is any question about what to do with it, it should be destroyed. The Guide states this at 10.1.2.5, again at 10.1.2.6 and again at 10.2.0.2.

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Usually comes after 10.1.2.5. The council advancement committee reviews and decides.

This is a step, not an afterthought. Medical statements, Individualized Education Plans and treatment summaries go back to the parent, guardian or institution that supplied them once the decision has been recorded and delivered. If there is any question about what to do with them, destroy them.

10.1.2.4. Alternatives are finished by the 18th birthday May not apply Milestone

Unless the Scout has been approved to register beyond the age of eligibility. That approval is a separate process with a different approver. See the plan for registering beyond the age of eligibility.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.5. The council advancement committee reviews and decides.

10.1.2.6. Attach the approved application to the Eagle Scout Rank Application May not apply Often forgotten Document

A candidate with disabilities must attach the approved Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges to the Eagle Scout Rank Application. The form is at scouting.org/forms.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.5. The council advancement committee reviews and decides.

The approved application is attached to the Eagle Scout Rank Application. An Eagle application that shows a substituted badge with no approval attached will not survive the council's verification.

10.1.2.0. Brief the board of review before it sits May not apply Event

Board members should be told in advance about the special circumstances and needs. It may help to have the unit leader, or a parent or guardian, present at or before the review to answer questions and give background on the challenges and how the Scout copes with them.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

10.1.2.7. Special-needs Eagle candidates aged 18 or over Optional May not apply Decision

Individuals 18 and older who have been properly approved by the council executive board or its designated committee to register beyond the age of eligibility may apply for the Eagle Scout rank. They are considered youth members for as long as they are so registered.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.4. Alternatives are finished by the 18th birthday.

10.1.2.7. Not qualified for that registration? Then everything is done before 18 Optional May not apply Decision

Eagle Scout candidates who have disabilities but do not qualify for registration beyond the age of eligibility must complete all requirements before the 18th birthday. In rare cases they may qualify for a time extension instead. See 9.0.4.0. Where a candidate is not registered beyond the age of eligibility but should be, the procedures at 10.2.0.0 must be followed, and work completed during any gap in registration may be credited with council approval.

You have not answered "Which program is the member in?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.1.2.4. Alternatives are finished by the 18th birthday.

A time extension is not a substitute for registration beyond the age of eligibility, and is available only in rare cases. The two are different things with different approvers: see 9.0.4.0 for extensions and 10.2.0.0 for registration.