Hearing Impaired Scouts
Jay Thal (jay.thal@TCS.WAP.ORG)
Fri, 30 Jan 1998 11:18:57 EST
SCOUTING FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED NO. 33061
Over two decades ago United States Federal law mandated that children with
disabilities be afforded an education in the least restrictive environment.
This did two things: it required that school districts provide access to full
educational opportunities rather than excluding them from education because
modification of curricula or facilities was inconvenient or costly; and, that
to benefit the children, and to the degree possible, students with disabilities
be included in regular educational settings rather than isolated from their
peers. This later concept is called mainstreaming.
U.S. Scouting has, and continues to have, units which are school or
institutionally based which bring Scouting to groups of youth isolated because
of their disabling conditions. But, Scouting encourages units to embrace all
within mainstream units.
All youth are unique. Each bring different strengths and gifts to the unit.
Each learn from one another, irrespective of their own strengths or gifts.
Scouting should be a microcosm of that idealized society we strive for as part
of our developmental goals.
This is one of a series of brief reviews of U.S. Scouting publications which
provide support, guidance, and direction to units and leaders in the belief
that Scouting and Scouts gain from inclusion. The antecedents for many of
these publications date to the mid-1970s. My intention is to share this
information so that Scouters will be encouraged to expand their recruitment
efforts. It will be republished from time to time, or sent upon request.
This is also intended to encourage Scouters to secure the original and complete
publications from BSA, for their own use. Perhaps BSA will sometime publish a
list of them in its annual catalog, as well. Policies or initiatives of other
Nations would be welcome and shared.
Among the publications are:
A Scoutmaster s Guide to Working with Scouts with Disabilities;
Scouting for Youth with Emotional Disabilities; Mental Retardation;
Physical Disabilities; Hearing Impairments; Blind and Visually Impaired;
Learning Disabilities; Exploring;....
This Preamble will be included with each review.
SCOUTING FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED .... No. 33008
1994, ISBN 0-8395-3061-7, 32 pages
Starting on page 23 there is, graphically displayed, fingerspelling - the
signed alphabet for the hearing impaired What follows are photographs of
Scouts and Cubs demonstrating The Scout Law; Motto; Slogan; and Oath; and the
Law of the Pack; Cub Scout Motto; and Promise in American Sign Language (ASL) -
a great learning experience for all Scouts.
In order to understand hearing disabilities there is an explanation of the
differences between pre- and post-lingually acquired hearing impairments, and
the difference between those and being RsimplyS hard of hearing, and the
education of children.
WouldnUt it be interesting to work with youth who live by signs rather than
those who take time when Rthe sign is upS?; or how about you old-timers who
regret the demise of semaphore? But, I digress....
Discussed are opportunities for the Hearing-Impaired Boy in a Unit of Hearing
Boys; the communications between both; restrictions on participation; and
current trends and mainstreaming. Also discussed is a Scouting program in a
school for hearing impaired youth, and advancement from Bobcat through Eagle,
in the Cubs, scouts, and Exploring. Suggestions are offered on the conduct of
Den, Pack, Troop, and Patrol meetings, as well as special activities and the
Outdoor program.
In a chapter on Special Considerations Social and Psychological needs are
addressed, as too are hearing aids and situations such as swimming, darkness,
and hiking.
Appendix 1 covers organizing a unit in a residential school, and the resources
needed. Appendix 2 covers Training Aids and Appendix 3 notes published
resources, both Scouting and Non-scouting. Signing is a language for which
Scouts and Scouters can earn an interpreter strip.
Article XI, Section 3, Clause 19 of the BSA Rules and regulations reads, in
part: ...under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed upon
consultation with appropriate medical authorities, registration of boys who are
either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped...as Cub
Scouts...over age 18 as Boy Scouts, or Varsity Scouts, and registration of
young adults...over age 21 as Explorers, and the participation of each in the
respective advancement programs while registered, is authorized.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
