Scouting helps by giving Scouts with many different abilities an opportunity to prove to themselves and to others that they can do things – and difficult things too – for themselves.” Lord Baden-Powell (Aids to Scoutmastership)

The Daniel Webster Council is committed to making Scouting accessible and enjoyable to all Scouts, regardless of their abilities. Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has included fully participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The BSA’s policy is to treat all members as equals. It has been traditional, however, to make some accommodations in advancement if absolutely necessary. By adapting the environment and/or our instruction methods, all Scouts, with many different abilities, can find success in Scouting.

The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is full participation. These Scouts should be treated and respected like every other member of their unit. They want to participate like other youth – and Scouting provides that opportunity.

An individual is considered to have a disability if they:

• has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities – seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working,
• has a record of such an impairment, or
• is regarded as having such an impairment.