ADA's 9th Anniversary & new Advancement guidelines
jay.thal (jay.thal@TCS.WAP.ORG)
Fri, 23 Jul 1999 10:10:41 -0400
Next Monday, July 26, 1999, represents the Ninth anniversary of the
signing into law of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Yesterday I received a letter from Joe Glasscock, Director, Boy Scout
Program Development. Contained therein were new, simplified, guidelines
for Alternative Requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First
Class Ranks. These new guidelines were approved by the National
advancement committee this past May. It is not that these guidelines
make rank attainment any less demanding, but in this new form they are
more elegantly written, and understandable.
Joe noted that these new guidelines will be incorporated in the soon to
be reprinted “Scoutmaster’s Guide to Working with Scouts with
Disabilities”, #33056. Undoubtedly, they will also be incorporated as
other “new” printings such as “Advancement Committee Policies and
Procedures”, #33088B, etc. are reprinted yet again.
Joe also mentioned that the long outdated “Alternate Eagle Scout Rank
Merit Badges” Application, #58-730, is also in the process of being
reprinted. That will bring comfort even though council advancement
committees have always had the authority to define alternate badges.
Anyway, I’m glad to share this news with you at this latest anniversary
of the ADA.
YiWWSWd,
Jay
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ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS
FOR
TENDERFOOT, SECOND CLASS AND FIRST CLASS RANKS
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 o the council advancement
committee to complete alternate requirements. Below are the procedures
for applying for alternative reuirements.
STEP ONE -- DO AS MANY STANDARD REQUIREMENTS AS POSSIBLE
Before applying for alternate requirements, the Scout must complete as
many of the standard reuirements as his ability permits. He must do
hisvery best to develop himself to the limit of his abilities and
resources.
STEP TWO -- SECURE A MEDICAL STATEMENT
A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout’s
disabilities must be submitted by a licensed health-care provider,
stating that the disability is permanent, and outlining what physical
activities the Scout is capable of completing. In the case of a mental
disability, an evaluation statement by a certified educational
administrator should be submitted stating the ability level of the
Scout.
STEP THREE -- PREPARE A REQUEST FOR ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS
A written request must be submitted to the council advancement committee
for the Scout to work on alternate requirements for Tenderfoot, Second
Class and First Class. The request should include the standard
requirements the Scout has complete, and suggested alternate
requirements for the requirements the Scout can not complete. This
request should be detailed enough to give the advancement committee
enough information to make a decision. The request should be prepared
by the Scout, his parents and his Scoutmaster. A copy of the medical
statement in step two should be included.
STEP FOUR -- THE ADVANCMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE REQUEST
The council advancemnt committee should review the request, utilizing
the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouts with
disabilities. The advancement committee my want to interview the Scout,
the paents and the leader to fully understand the request, and to make a
fair determination. The decision of the advancement committee should be
recorded and delivered to the Scout and the Scoutmaster.
