SCOUTS WITH (dis)ABILITIES

 

INTRODUCTION & CONTACTS

Over the past decade 12 to 14 Groups for disabled scouts have closed in Victoria. Fortunately we still have 2 groups, 6th Camberwell North and 4th Frankston, who both run very active programs for youth members with special needs and draw their membership from a numbers of Districts and Regions.
These groups have both found that disabled youth members often don't integrate into local Groups, or perhaps don't stay very long, or maybe don't advance to the next section. Rather than lose these members to the Movement joining a special needs group is another option.
The leaders of 6th Camberwell North and 4th Frankston are now working together to provide support and information for leaders who have integrated youth members with special needs in their section.

Contacts

Charles Medwin OAM
Branch Commissioner - Special Needs
03 9786 8996
Email: bc.specialneeds@vicscouts.asn.au

 

4th Frankston

6th Camberwell North

History

 

 

Leader Mentor Program

The Leader Mentor Program has been set up to assist Section Leaders with information and support for youth members with a disability. A number of experienced and professionally trained leaders are able to help with information about a disability, its management within Scouting, as well as provide ideas on programming, modifying the award scheme and suggesting suitable games and activities. Contact the Assistant Branch Commissioner for Special Needs for further details.

Resource File

Contacts

Association for Children with a Disability.
          -   contact information to Association on numerous disabilities.
Helping You and Your Family - Self Help Strategies for Parents of Children with a Disability
Through the Maze - A Guide to Benefits and Services for Families of Children with a Disability

Information:

Disability and Impairment Information Sheets booklet available for purchase

Disability File Sheets

  1. # Disability File Sheets
  2. ADD / ADHD
  3. Asperger's Syndrome
  4. Autism Spectrum Disorder
  5. Muscular Dystrophy
  6. Cerebral Palsy
  7. Epilepsy
  8. Williams Syndrome
  9. Dyslexia
  10. Diabetes
  11. Fragile X Syndrome
  12. Down Syndrome

Resource Books and Videos

  • Making Integration Work - More Alike Than Different - Photocopied ideas book produced by Guides Victoria
  • Let's Integrate - Photocopied book by Dr. Roger May - 1987
  • Bridges to Accessibility - A Primer for including Persons with Disabilities in Adventure CurriculaProject Adventure U.S.A.
  • Adapted Adventure Activities - A Rehabilitation Model for Adventure Programming and Group Initiatives by Wendy Ellmo
  • Activities Manual for Children with Disabilities - Aussie Sports Commission, Canberra 1990
  • Youth With Disabilities - A Leader's Resource - Publication of Boy Scouts of Canada
  • Resource Kit for Volunteers - Camping Programs for People with Disabilities
  • Autism, the early signs - Looking at Aaron, Louise, Richard - Autistic Family Support Association - Information Reference Kit containing half hour video and support material - Vic Health Foundation
  • Willing and Able - PE & Sport for young people with Disabilities - An Introduction to Inclusive Practices Australian Sports Commission
  • Teaching Students with Disabilities - Material with accompanying video on Intellectual Impairment, Vision Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Physical Impairment produced by the Queensland Government
  • Adapted Games - For those with Physical, Intellectual or Sensory Disabilities. - Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation
  • We Can - Promoting Scouting and overcoming handicapped by the World Bureau 1989
  • Disability Awareness - Copies of magazines produced by World Bureau -1988
  • Severe Language Disorders - Compic Picture Program
  • Making a Success of It - Practical Strategies and Worksheets for Teaching Students with Autsim Spectrum Disorder
  • Child Safety Handbooks - 2 copies Compiled by the Safety Centre Royal Children's Hospital.
  • Playworks Ideas Sheets - Ideas for including a young child with a Disability
  • Adapting Scouting Programs and Activities for Youth Members with Disabilities - Advanced Training Project by Bobbie Hofer
  • A Disorder in the Troop - Advanced Training Project by Lynne Rhodes
  • Sharing Our Story - Video and accompanying sheets. Parents of children with a disability talk about their lives
  • Cards on Vision Impairment - (Not for loan) Long sighted, Blind, Short sighted, Tunnel Vision
  • Walk a Mile in another Girl's Shoes, - Photocopied books produced by the Guide Association
    1. More Alike Thank Different
    2. Hearing as she hears
    3. Moving as she moves
    4. Seeing as she sees
    5. Thinking as she thinks
    6. Learning as she learns
  • 'Noticeboard Magazines' from the Association for Children with a Disability

Annual Training Days

The Scouts will Disabilities Group run annual training days for leaders and parents interested in special needs youth members. The program features guest speakers, workshops, resources and current items of interest. These training courses meet the requirements for leaders to qualify for their annual 3 hour training module. Workshops will be run in various Regions throughout the year. See Scout Magazine for workshop dates.


SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION OF A YOUNG PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

To assist leaders who are approached by a prospective youth member with a disability, the following procedure may be of assistance:

1. Arrange a full discussion with the parents/guardian, covering all aspects of the young person's disability. This discussion should include:
a) full explanation of the young person's disability
b) information regarding the management of the young person's disability within Scouting
c) the amount of support given either by a parent/guardian/primary carer for the young person within Scouting
d) the administration and responsibility of medications and aids where applicable
e) actions required to ensure the successful integration of the young person into the section

2. In the case of referral to a Group by a welfare agency, the above criteria would apply. Permission for obtaining personal details must be given by the parents/guardians.

3. Advise the appropriate District leaders as they may wish to be involved in the discussions as well as provide support for the young person upon registration.

4. Leaders may wish to arrange a trial period for the disabled young person to see if registration into the section will be appropriate for everyone concerned. The trial and its outcomes should be fully discussed and documented before its implementation to ensure that duty of care is maintained.

5. It is recommended that a diary be kept on all aspects of the disabled young person's progress and management for future reference and communication between the parties concerned.

6. If there is concern further information and direction can be obtained from the Assistant Branch Commissioner for Special Needs.


Disability and Impairment Information Sheets.