Academics - Disabilities

Disabilities Awareness Loop and Pin

Tiger, Wolfs, Bears and Webelos Scouts may complete these requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment.

Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.

Requirements for the Disabilities Awareness Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Visit with a child or adult with special needs. Find out what this person enjoys and what this person finds difficult.

2. Attend a disabilities event such as an Easter Seals event, Special Olympics, a performance with sign language interpretation, an activity with Guiding Eyes dogs, or a wheelchair race. Tell your adult leader what you thought about the experience.

3. Make a display about one or more disabilities. It can include physical, learning, or mental challenges. Share the display at a pack meeting.

Requirements for the Disabilities Awareness Pin

Earn the Disabilities Awareness belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. People with disabilities move around in different ways such as as crutches, scooters, and wheelchairs. Explain the differences. With an adult's supervision and permission, try to safely use one.

2. Using sign language, demonstrate the Cub Scout Promise and motto.

3. Read a book about a person with a disability.

4. Explain how your school helps students with disabilities (elevators, ramps, small classes, special tools and equipment, specialized teachers).

5. Describe one of the following and its purpose: occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy. Visit with a person who works in one of these fields and learn about his or her position.

6. Read about a famous person who has been physically or mentally challenged. Report what you learned to your den or family.

7. For two one-hour periods, and with adult supervision, go about your normal routine doing chores, watching television, studying, etc. Change your abilities by using one of these experiences, then share what you learned with your den:

   • Hearing impairment - Muffle your ears with earmuffs or bandages.

   • Sight impairment - Blindfold one or both eyes.

   • Physical impairment - Bind an arm or leg so that it cannot be used.

   • Speaking impairment - Cover your mouth or do not speak.

   • Choose an impairment of your own that is approved by an adult.

8. Look at a catalog and find three items that could help a person with disabilities in their daily life. Explain how each item would help the individual.

9. Volunteer and help someone with disabilities in school, sports or another supervised activity.

10. Visit a nursing home or elderly person and help someone with a meal.

11. Talk to someone who works with people who have disabilities. Ask what the person’s position is like and how he or she helps people with disabilities.

Disabilities Awareness Online Resources

1. American Association of People with Disabilities

2. Ameican Foundation for the Blind

3. The Arc of the United States

4. Autism Society of America

5. Autism Speaks

6. Easter Seals

7. Federation for Children with Special Needs

8. Guide Dogs for the Blind

9. International Dyslexia Association

10. Muscular Dystrophy Association

11. National Alliance on Mental Illness

12. National Association of the Deaf

13. National Center for Learning Disabilities

14. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

15. Special Olympics International

16. United Cerebral Palsy

17. Council for Disability Awareness

18. All Kids Can

19. American Sign Language