Re: Blind Beaver Scout (UK) : Leaders need advice on integration
Andrew Heath (HEATHA@YVAX.BYU.EDU)
Mon, 14 Nov 1994 12:48:01 -0700
>We have been asked to take a totally blind kid into our Beaver Scout colony
>He will be six in June, so we have a few months to make plans. However, we
>need information / advice / ideas regarding how best to integrate him
>successfully.
Great!! I have one scout who is blind and he is a great addition to my troop.
>... he will know a lot of the other kids in the Colony.
Definatly a plus, since they know him they will have had experience interacting
with him.
>... the room is full of furniture , pillars and other obstructions
>The first problem will be making sure the environment is as safe as
>possible, and reminding the boys not to leave chairs etc. sticking out. The
>plus side is that Toby goes to the church and associated school , so he will
>have some knowledge of the geography and layout, and should also know most
>of the kids...
Sounds like you have this one in control. Blind peaple have great memories, out
scout manovers around the building quite well without help (either another
person or a cane). Sometimes he does get excited and then he gets disoriented -
when this happens we calm him down and place him somewhere so he knows where he
is.
>...- the problem will be to get the balance between those things he can do
>independently , those things that will need minimal help, and those that
Each child is different (both 'normal' and 'special needs' kids), I let mine
determine when he can do it and when he needs help. His peers seem to be more
sensitive to his needs then the adults. He suprizes us alot, some times I
wonder if he is really blind. We started him pounding in nails for a service
project once and his was the straightest section of nails.
>The other thing that would be useful is advice on equipment. I've already
>worked out that a tape recorder would be useful. We've got some stuff such
>as a ball with a bell in, but I'd like other suggestions...
Again it sounds like you are off to a good start. Try to get in contact with
organizations which specialize in helping viually disabled individuals, they
can be a great resource. They make special maps and other visuals, as well as
have peaple who will record printed materials that you are using. Tinfoil is a
great thing to have along with something to draw on it with. The child can then
feel what is drawn in the foil.
>I've still got to check on where he is with regard to mobility education
>and so on - today he was holding his Mum's hand , but I don't know if he he
>started using a long cane yet. Also I'm assuming that he probably will not
>read Braille - after all, few six year-olds w/o visual impairments can read
>print effectively !
I have one scout who is good friends with my blind scout who can lead him
around when we are hiking or moving around. He is used to working with him, I
also have done awareness activities with the whole group. The person who is
leading need to have the experience of being led, this way they are more
conscious of pointing out potential hazards while they are leading.
>... It could be that we could find some of the older Cub
>Scouts to help - several of the nine to ten year-olds are very sensible an
>could help him with anything that requires, say, reading and writing. In
>many ways I'd prefer an older kid than having him too dependent on adults,
>because I think he will integrate better that way.
I agree, Keep as much of the help as you can in his peer group, Older scouts
are also good, It will add a lot to their scouting experience and give them a
new perspective of what leadership is.
Good luck with your new cub, and keep us posted on how he is doing.
YiS, Andrew J. Heath (heatha@yvax.byu.edu)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
