Disability Scouting

Today is Whit Bank Holiday over here and we are almost going full circle today in looking at something that does matter: Disability Scouting.

This blog started with the tale of how Scouting for the Disabled to use a very period phrase was a well kept secret, officially existing and practised but somehow not passed on adults whose job was to inform parents about what their children could do so we didn't get told about it, never mind encouraged to join.

Today things are thankfully different.

Children with physical disabilities, visual impairments and leaning disabilities have a place in scouting world-wide at all levels and in all sections.

Here we have a Beaver with physical disabilities - and we need to start young - and at that age you need to learn about your Abilities given the medical profession see you a lot about your disabilities and that can easily lead to forming a restricted view on achievement potential and so a pattern of being included rather than left out needs to start.

Well trained, adaptable and prepared to think out of box grown ups are a must to work around supporting you as part of your colony, pack or troup and the first thing to remember is barriers are often in our heads so a welcoming, prepared to work with you approach really helps.

Things always worth considering is physical accessibilty not that we don't mind a challenge when it comes to activity centres, camp bases and the like.

If the layout can be made easy for us to use and storage areas easy to get at, we too can help everyone else out. Trust me the last thing you want to feel is unable to contribute to whatever everyone else does, mucking in.

It's not all one way traffic.

Having a person who works with you, encouraging through disability awareness all those around from fellow scouts to help out hopefully learn something about how they can help whatever form that might be depending on your specific needs.

Things like fastening stuff was something I struggled with back then so rather than being sat there waiting, why not ask if you can help at all.

Another may find seeing things difficult,  a third may get very anxious or need to be kept informed of what's happening next.

It's a balence between learning over time how you can help and taking away from us our independence.

Surprisingly enough there are disabled adults in scouting as volunteers which is kind of useful not just as role models for all scouts young and old but even as mentors.

Having the life can really make a difference to somebody along the path.

Because you may not do everything doesn't mean you should have a place to help out and in just the same way appropriate adjustments to the training program are made for disabled youngsters they also have place for adult volunteers to make the most of your abilities.

Being more visable can help - not everyone knows who the local go to person is if you wish to help out - and being seen does spread the message and breakdown any idea scouting is just for the able bodied.

Youngsters are often very receptive to learning how to help and get along with disabled people especially tehir peers if we can break the iceberg around knowing how to help and that you're just as likely to want join in all the fun, having a laugh like any other child.

We're all different but we all belong in the same pack, caring for each other.