Requirements
1. Do the following:
a. Define and discuss with your counselor the following
disabilities awareness terms: disability, accessibility,
adaptation, accommodation, invisible disability, and
person-first language.
b. Explain why proper disability etiquette is important, and
how it may differ depending on the specific disability.
2. Visit an agency that works with people with physical, mental,
emotional, or educational disabilities. Collect and read information
about the agency’s activities. Learn about opportunities
its members have for training, employment, and education.
Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
3. Do TWO of the following:
a. Talk with a Scout who has a disability and learn about his
experiences taking part in Scouting activities and earning
different merit badges. Discuss what you have learned
with your counselor.
b. Talk with an individual who has a disability and learn
about this person’s experiences and the activities in which
this person likes to participate. Discuss what you have
learned with your counselor.
c. Learn how people with disabilities take part in a particular
adaptive sport or recreational activity. Discuss what you
have learned with your counselor.
d. Learn about independent living aids such as service animals,
canes, and augmentative communication devices
such as captioned telephones and videophones. Discuss
with your counselor how people use such aids.
e. Plan or participate in an activity that helps others
understand what a person with a visible or invisible
disability experiences. Discuss what you have learned
with your counselor.
4. Do EITHER option A or option B:
Option A. Visit TWO of the following locations and take
notes about the accessibility to people with disabilities.
In your notes, give examples of five things that could
be done to improve upon the site and five things about
the site that make it friendly to people with disabilities.
Discuss your observations with your counselor.
• Your school
• Your place of worship
• A Scouting event or campsite
• A public exhibit or attraction (such as a theater,
museum, or park)
Option B. Visit TWO of the following locations and take
notes while observing features and methods that are
used to accommodate people with invisible disabilities.
While there, ask staff members to explain any accommodation
features that may not be obvious. Note anything
you think could be done to better accommodate people
who have invisible disabilities. Discuss your observations
with your counselor.
• Your school
• Your place of worship
• A Scouting event or campsite
• A public exhibit or attraction (such as a theater,
museum, or park)
5. Explain what advocacy is. Do ONE of the following
advocacy activities:
a. Present a counselor-approved disabilities awareness
program to a Cub Scout pack or other group. During
your presentation, explain and use person-first language.
b. Find out about disabilities awareness education programs
in your school or school system, or contact a disability
advocacy agency. Volunteer with a program or agency for
eight hours.
c. Using resources such as disability advocacy agencies,
government agencies, the internet (with your parent’s
permission), and news magazines, learn about myths
and misconceptions that influence the general public’s
understanding of people with disabilities. List 10 myths
and misconceptions about people with disabilities and
learn the facts about each myth. Share your list with
your counselor, then use it to make a presentation to a
Cub Scout pack or other group.
6. Make a commitment to your merit badge counselor describing
what you will do to show a positive attitude about
people with disabilities and to encourage positive attitudes
among others. Discuss how your awareness has changed as
a result of what you have learned.
7. Name five professions that provide services to people with
disabilities. Pick one that interests you and find out the education,
training, and experience required for this profession.
Discuss what you learn with your counselor, and tell why
this profession interests you.
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges