Overview
Alameda Area District’s Special Needs Support team promotes inclusion by helping unit and district leaders create meaningful experiences for all Scouts.
We provide guidance on advancement and program variation, training for adapting the environment, and direct support so that the challenges embedded in Scouting are accessible to Scouts of all abilities.
To learn more about supporting ScoutsAll Scouting Programs with special needs, see the tabs above for the definitions and information guides we’ve developed, and resources available to you.
We are seeking to grow!
We need adults who have practiced inclusion for Scouts with special needs and who want to join us to provide guidance and support to district volunteers, unit leaders, parents, and scouts.
If you or someone you know wants to help, please send them our way.
Contact: Linda Owczarz, District Lead at [email protected] or (510) 599-6218
— under development —
Inclusion Quick Guides
We know that determining strategies for Scouts with special needs can seem intimidating for the unit leader, parent, and scout.
Scouting America has had resources and procedures available about including Scouts with disabilities for many years now, but these resources, however informative and improved over time, have remained largely unknown and can seem overwhelming.
We’ve developed a series of Quick Guides to help you get started.
Quick Guides, developed by our team of dedicated volunteers, draws from various content based on Scouting America’s resources and references for special needs inclusion, outside resources such as the “Inclusion Toolbox” from Able Scouts and supplementary information where needed, based on knowledge from direct experience, numerous reputable sources over time, and specific training.
Current Quick Guides contributors: Tess Dunn, Heather Zeng, Cathryn Edelman, Linda Owczarz
The term “Quick Guides” was coined by Tess Dunn, course director for IOLS, Wood Badge staff, and ASM (and former SM) for Troops 708 & 2708.
Thank you Tess for your many years of experience and contributions to inclusion in Scouting!
Adult Leader Quick Guide
General Support
A guide to help leaders understand information they should consider and what they may do to support their Scouts w/ disabilities
- Guide for Creating a Plan of Support for Scouts with Disabilities (list) – coming soon
- Guide for Creating a Plan of Support for Scouts with Disabilities (table) – coming soon
- Sample Support Plan For – coming soon
Advancement and Registration
Information about advancement supports that Scouts with disabilities may use in their advancement goals – includes supports that can be made within the unit, as well as modifications requiring the Council’s approval process.
Unit Advancement Approaches
Scout does what they need to in HOW they participate generally and to complete their advancement and skill building requirements.
- Examples of Accommodations
- Examples of Adaptations
- Guide to Using Accommodations & Adaptations – coming soon
- Boards of Reviews & Scoutmaster Conferences – coming soon
District Eagle Boards of Review
- coming soon
Accommodations and Modifications
What is the Difference Between Accommodations and Modifications, you may ask?
- See the Advancement Comparison graphic from the 2025 Guide to Advancement
Council Advancement and Registration Modifications
- Process to seek Council approval to change WHAT a Scout does to satisfy advancement and skill building requirements.
- May be combined with other modifications as needed.
Advancement Modification Options
- Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Required Merit Badges
A youth in Scouts BSA or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout with a disability may achieve the Eagle Scout rank by qualifying for alternative merit badges.- Guidance on the process (list) – coming soon
- Guidance on the process (table) – coming soon
- AAESRMB-Application and Information
- Individual Scout Advancement Plan
Intended for a Scout’s personal growth, this option allows for modifications to Scouts BSA’s rank advancement requirements and may be applied to advancement requirements in the other Scouting programs as well.Personal growth is measured through the achievable challenges found throughout the Scout’s journey including and not limited to rank advancement requirements.
The Scout’s Plan of Support may coincide with this option.
- Guidance on the process (list) – coming soon
- Guidance on the process (table) – coming soon
- ISAP-Application and Information
Registration Modification Option
Registration Modification – process to seek Council approval and forms
- Guidance on the process (list) – coming soon
- Guidance on the process (table) – coming soon
- RBAE-Application and Information
Advancement Links
Guide to Advancement
Chapter 10 “Advancement for Scouts with Special Needs”
- Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
- Guide to Advancement. Chapter 10 (pdf)
Comparison of Accommodations and Modifications
Forms
Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility (RBAE)
- RBAE Form (pdf)
Individual Scout Advancement Plan (ISAP)
- ISAP Form (pdf)
Application for Alternative Eagle-Scout Required Merit Badge
- AAESRMB Form (pdf)
General Support Links
Support for Scouts with Special Needs
Under Development
Forms
Plan of Support
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: Plan of Support form (pdf)
Parent-provided Snapshot
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: Snapshot (pdf)
Accommodations Examples
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Accommodations Examples (pdf)
Adaptations Examples
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
- Adaptations Examples (pdf)
Support & Resources
Alameda Area District Special Needs Support contact information:
Item: For questions and guidance, contact:
Message: Linda Owczarz – [email protected] / (510) 599-6218
Special Needs Resources in Scouting:
Scouting America
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: Scouting America SND page.
AbleScouts
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: AbleScouts page.
Guide to Safe Scouting / Tenting
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: Guide to Safe Scouting page with Tenting statement.
National Facebook Groups:
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link(s): National Facebook Group(s) of interest.
GGAC Special Needs and Disabilities webpage
Message: Single sentence description of content / interest.
Link: GGAC Special Needs and Disabilities webpage