Disability Awareness Merit Badge 2017

“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have equal opportunity to develop our talent.” John F. Kennedy

Recorded by James Schultz as taught by Eagle Scout Jared Schultz

Did you know that in a census in 2010 it was reported that over 56 million or 19% of the U.S. population is disabled in some form or another? Hi, I’m Eagle Scout Jared. If this is true, then why don’t our scout troops consist of 19% disabled boys? Are 19% of your friends disabled? Good questions? Maybe by the end of this merit badge you will figure that out and what you can do about it.

In this presentation, I will help you become more aware of disabilities, learn what they are and how to become more accepting of those around you who are people with disabilities. I love this merit badge because it fits so well with the scout law…. A scout is…helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful…

Look at all of us pictured here. Some of us have disabilities that you can see, others may have invisible disabilities that affect our lives or a combination of both. Your perception will influence how you treat us. What do you see…what don’t you see?

First and foremost, did you notice that we are all people, boy scouts, just like you?

Requirement 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.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) an individual with a disability is a person who: Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Have you ever seen someone drive up and park in a handicap parking spot, get out of their car and walk normally into a store and you think…what the? He’s not handicapped. How dare he park there?

That person was my grandpa. What you couldn’t see was that he had had a triple bypass, open heart surgery, a pace maker put in and a fourth of his heart was non-functioning. He was disabled and lost his job because of it. He may have looked healthy, but realistically, he could hardly walk around the block. He had an invisible disability. But first and foremost…he was my grandpa!

Accessibility

This Or This?

People who are disabled need to have all the same things accessible to them that you and I have. This includes access to buildings, lunch room tables, science lab tables, desks, reading material, books on tape/braille, lectures etc. Look at your school or church and see how they are providing these services. Is your scout troop disabled accessible?

Adaptations These are usually thought of in the housing industry and can be divided into two separate groups; Major and minor

Major This includes any major structural changes to buildings. They would include putting in a ground floor handicap accessible bathroom, a motorized ramp to the second floor or extension to the house.

Minor This includes small changes to buildings or permanent structures. They would include putting in railings on walls, specialized shower, ramps, lower counter tops.

Accommodation

Lets look at your school for examples of accommodations. If your school has had a renovation in the last 10+ years, they were required to put in special accommodations for students who are handicapped. Look for some of these things: • Wider doors for entry/exit of the building • Special bathroom stalls • A lower lab table in the science room • A lower lunchroom table or a table with no chairs or moveable chairs for wheel

chairs • Adaptive PE classes • An elevator • Special Education services • Safe room used during fires • Paraprofessionals who work directly

with the person who is disabled • Special wheel chair buses/vans • Large print books, books on tape

All of these accommodations are to ensure that every student in the school has the same opportunity to learn, thrive and be successful within their own abilities.

Invisible Disabilities Invisible Disability, or hidden disability, is an umbrella

term that captures a whole spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges that are primarily neurological in nature.

Invisible Disabilities are certain kinds of disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others. It is estimated that 10% of people in the U.S. have a medical condition which could be considered a type of invisible disability.

ADHD Anxiety disorders Allergies Arachnoiditis Asperger Syndrome Asthma Autism Bipolar disorder

Metabolic syndrome Migraines Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Myasthenia Gravis Narcolepsy Personality disorders Primary immunodeficiency Psychiatric disabilities Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Repetitive stress injuries Rheumatoid arthritis Schnitzler's Syndrome Schizophrenia Scleroderma Sjagren's syndrome Temporomandibular joint disorder Transverse Myelitis Ulcerative Colitis

Brain injuries CharcotMarieTooth disease Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic pain Circadian rhythm sleep disorders Coeliac Disease Crohn's disease Depression Diabetes Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Endometreosis Epilepsy Fibromyalgia Food allergies Fructose malabsorption Hereditary Fructose Intolerance Hyperhidrosis Hypoglycemia Inflammatory bowel disease Interstitial cystitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lactose Intolerance Lupus Lyme Disease Major depression

Service dog comforting a boy with autism

What do you call a person with a disability? How about their name. Choose your words wisely. Never use words that label, generalize, stereotype, devalue or discriminate. Why mention the disability at all unless absolutely necessary? Every person deserves to be treated and addressed with dignity and respect. It is the scout way! Try and use people first language.

How do you treat a disabled person? How about just like you would want to be treated. They are first a person just like you. If the handicap is something that must be dealt with, ask them, don’t assume . Always put them first and follow the scout oath and law.

What do you want other people call you? Good question.

Be sensitive when choosing the words you use. Here are a few guidelines on appropriate

language.

Recognize that people with disabilities are ordinary people with common goals for a

home, a job and a family. Talk about people in ordinary terms.

Never equate a person with a disability — such as referring to someone as retarded, an

epileptic or quadriplegic. These labels are simply medical diagnosis. Use People First

Language to tell what a person HAS, not what a person IS.

Emphasize abilities not limitations. For example, say “a man walks with crutches,” not”

he is crippled.”

Avoid negative words that imply tragedy, such as afflicted with, suffers, victim, prisoner

and unfortunate.

Recognize that a disability is not a challenge to be overcome, and don’t say people

succeed in spite of a disability. Ordinary things and accomplishments do not become

extraordinary just because they are done by a person with a disability. What is

extraordinary are the lengths people with disabilities have to go through and the barriers

they have to overcome to do the most ordinary things.

Use handicap to refer to a barrier created by people or the environment. Use disability to

indicate a functional limitation that interferes with a person’s mental, physical or sensory

abilities, such as walking, talking, hearing and learning. For example, people with

disabilities who use wheelchairs are handicapped by stairs.

Do not refer to a person as bound to or confined to a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are

liberating to people with disabilities because they provide mobility.

Do not use special to mean segregated, such as separate schools or buses for people with

disabilities, or to suggest a disability itself makes someone special.

Avoid cute euphemisms such as physically challenged, inconvenienced and differently

abled.

Promote understanding, respect, dignity and positive outlooks.

OK. We have finished requirement 1 and now some understanding about disabilities, proper etiquette, types of disabilities and have been challenged a little to think “outside of our box.” I think it is time for a Road Trip. Let’s get out into the community and actually use what we have learned. Hop in…let’s go.

ROAD TRIP ROAD TRIP ROAD TRIP!!

Wait…what am I doing? I don’t have a driver’s license!

Requirement 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

To find a place that you can go to, you might first try talking to your counselor at school or someone from Special Ed at school. They can direct you. You also might want to try Wright County Social Services or surf on the web. Below I will give you a long list of organizations that work in some form with people who have disabilities. Most are not local but it may give you an idea. Also some churches have special programs as does the Community Ed department in your school district. Try Functional Industries in Buffalo or Opening Doors in Buffalo/Monticello (Community Ed.)

Community Education Classes, Services and Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities

What is Opening Doors?

The Opening Doors Program is part of the Adults with Disabilities Program offered by a group of Community

Education departments in the area. The Opening Doors Program encompasses the school districts of Buffalo-

Hanover-Montrose, Big Lake, Becker, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted and Monticello.

Specialized classes and activities offer educational, social, life skill and recreational learning opportunities for any

adult with a disability. Indivduals attending Opening Doors activities come from all or parts of Wright, Sherburne,

McLeod, Carver and Hennepin Counties.

Opening Doors produces a new catalog three times per year and includes a variety of activities and outings. The

most popular activities include dances, bingo, trips and numerous special events.

To request a catalog, or learn more information about the Opening Doors Program please call the program office

in Buffalo at 763-682-8770. Information is also available online at https://bhmschools.ce.feepay.org

Adaptive Sports Foundation23 Alcoholics Anonymous24 All Walks Of Life25 Alzheimer’s Association26 American Academy of Pain Medicine27 American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities28 American Association of People with Disabilities29 American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT)30 American Council of the Blind31 American Foundation for the Blind32 American Psychiatric Association33 American Society of Addiction Medicine34 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association35 Broad Futures36 Center for Applied Special Technology37 Center for Substance Abuse Treatment38 Cerebral Palsy Causes Guide39 Cerebral Palsy Group40 Community Options41 Directory of Nationally and Regionally Accredited Institutions42 Disability Rights Advocates43 Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund44.DisabilityScoop45 Disabled Sports USA46 Disabled Writers47 Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action48 DrugAbuse.com49 Epilepsy Foundation50 Fishing Has No Boundaries51.Global Down Syndrome Foundation52 Incight53 InclusiveU at Syracuse University54 International Paralympic Committee55 Little People of America56 Mental Health America57 Mental Health Association of Portland58 Mobility International, USA59 National Alliance on Mental Illness60

National Association of the Deaf61 National Center for Learning Disabilities62 National Center for PTSD63 National Down Syndrome Society64 National Federation of the Blind65 National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders66 National Institute of Mental Health67 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke68 National Multiple Sclerosis Society69 National Organization on Disability70 North American Riding for the Handicapped Association71 Not Dead Yet72.Project Know73 The Mighty74 Through the Looking Glass75 Tourette Association of America Mid-Atlantic Chapter76 Trace Research & Development Center77 U.S. Business Leadership Network/a>78 USBLN (U.S. Business Leadership Network) is a national non-profit that unites business around disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. More than 130 corporate partners look to USBLN for guidance on disability inclusion, including recruitment and outreach, supplier diversity and accessibility. United Spinal Association79 VOR 80– Advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Some organizations that work directly with the disabled. There are so many more. Google: organizations working with disabled, and you will get even more groups.

Requirement 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.

Pick Two

Req. 3a Talk to a scout with a disability….

Check with your scout master. He may know of someone in your troop or another troop. Set up a time with the scout, maybe over a coke at McDonalds (your treat).

Req. 3b Talk to an individual with a disability…

Talk to a teacher, some one from the Special Ed department or Asst. Principal. They can help you connect or just ask your classmate who is disabled to talk. Make a new friend.

Req. 3c People with disabilities in sports and activities… Your school most likely has an adaptive physical education program and maybe adaptive sports like soccer and basketball. Get connected with these people. On a larger scale, connect with Opening Doors or the Special Olympics. Look up these sport groups for more information on line:

American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) Disabled Sports USA Minnesota Special Hockey Minnesota State High School League Miracle League of Minnesota National Sports Center for the Disabled Special Olympics of Minnesota Special Olympics Project UNIFY Sprockets U.S. EWHA Power Hockey | U.S. Power Soccer

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/foradults/

http://ncdj.org/resources/organizations/

https://ldaamerica.org/advocacy/government-agencies-resource-centers/

https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/disability.htm

Check out these web sites for more information on resources/activities for people with disabilities

Req. 3d Learn about independent living aids… Students with disabilities want to do the same stuff the rest of us do, but are limited due to their disability. That doesn’t mean it is impossible though. With the help of some cool equipment and pets they can join right in… Look up these devices on the web and learn how they improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Special arm crutches and braces

Specialized walkers

Video phones

Caption telephones

Service dogs

Augmented communication

device

Did you know that there are groups out there that teach swimming, climbing, cooking, hunting… to people with disabilities? They are always looking for volunteers. Go for it!!

Req. 3e. Plan or participate in an activity that helps others understand what a person with a visible or invisible disability experiences.

The good way to understand in general what a person with a disability is feeling is to “walk in their shoes”. There are many exercises you can do with your friends or troop. Brainstorm some ideas. Start with the disability and create that disability in your troop. • Spend an hour in a wheel chair, not using

your legs. Include going outside, into a car or opening a door by yourself or even to a favorite restaurant.

• Blind fold some one and have them navigate with a stick.

• Wear glasses that make everything distorted and walk around

• Get some crutches of different kinds and use them for a day at school.

• Wear a good set of ear plugs all day and include listening to music and watching TV.

Google: Disability awareness games. You will find lots of good sites that you can use in your troop to help scouts gain a better understanding of the limitations of certain disabilities. You can also do these on your own or with a friend.

Requirement 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. a. Your school b. Your place of worship c. A Scouting event or campsite d. 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. a. Your school b. Your place of worship c. A Scouting event or campsite d. A public exhibit or attraction (such as a theater, museum, or park) Special Olympics bowling

Special Olympics weight lifting

Special Olympics

Help volunteer. Special Olympics is a great place to help out.

These events can’t happen without you and me helping.

For Requirement 6 options A and B are very similar. They will require you to get out and notice things from a different perspective. As an example, I went to Buffalo High School where I am a Sophomore. I asked myself, “how user friendly is BHS for students with disabilities?” You can do this for your school. This is some of what I found.

I was just practicing my knots for fly fishing merit badge and it popped into my brain just how hard this simple task would be for some one who is disabled with cerebral palsy or juvenile muscular dystrophy. I think I take way too much for granted!

This is how BHS welcomes a person in a wheel chair or crutches…a cross walk ending in a big curb. Why isn’t there a ramp?

All major doors and outside doors have buttons you can push and the doors open for you. Nice.

In the main foyer you are met with huge steps to get to the second floor. They do provide railings for help, but they are not very handicapped or disabled accessible. But…if you walk down the hall a little bit, you will find an elevator that students with disabilities are free to use. But what if there is a fire alarm going off?

BHS SURVEY

In case of emergency such as that fire drill, the school has trained personal who will take care of students with disabilities. Evac+chairs located on the second floor by the elevators/stairs are available to get the students down the stairs and out of the building.

To get into the auditorium, you need to climb steep stairs. The school provides railings but also a long gentle ramp. Once in the auditorium, wheel chairs can only stay on the main level.

Wide doorways and well lit hallways aid those in wheel chairs or other mobile devices and those that have a hard time seeing in dim light. Smooth walls are also important for the visually impaired.

A trip to the Special Education and Health Department showed me a wide range of equipment and programs aimed specifically for students with disabilities. I got to try some of them out.

Low tables/benches and a trike for getting around

Many wheel chairs Swings are used for exercise and stimulus

The Hoyer Lift is used to help get students out of wheel chairs especially those who have multiple disabilities and can’t do it on their own. The Stander places the student in an upright position which stimulates muscles, bones and respiratory functions

This restroom is specialized for students with handicaps. The sink is lower, has a bench to lay down on (behind me, can’t see), railings to help pull yourself up, more space to move wheel chairs and a wider door for entry. Specialize bathrooms are well marked.

Other things I found around the school, were bleachers which are not disabled/handicapped friendly if you want to be up in the stands. These students need to stay of the main level. I also found railings going down the ramp into the boys/girls sports locker rooms which was good. The lunch room had tables with moveable chairs which is good for wheel chair placement. Over all, BHS was pretty good!

Requirement 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 disability 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.

synonyms:

champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner, fighter, crusader

Advocate is a person who publicly supports or

recommends a particular cause or policy.

"he was an untiring advocate of disability reform"

I can’t live like this. Will you be my advocate?

A disability advocate is someone who is trained specifically to help get qualified Social Security Disability claims approved. More than two thirds of initial claims for Social Security Disability benefits are denied.

Advocating Change Together (ACT) The ARC of Minnesota Chapters in Minnesota The ARC of the United States Brain Injury Association of America (BIA-US) Brain Injury Association of Minnesota (BIA) Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for Persons with Disabilities DeafBlindinfo.org Disability History Museum Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) Grants for Individuals: The Disabled Institute on Community Integration Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) MinnesotaHelp.info Disability Portal Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center Quality Mall Smithsonian Institution Disability Rights Exhibit

This is only a partial list of Web resources. To find more resources online, go to www.mnhelp.info. You may also visit the Disability Hub MN online or call 1-866-333-2466

Myths and misconceptions about disabilities There are so many misconceptions about people with disabilities and when I researched them I was surprised at how many of them I actually have heard and some that I actually believed (until now) myself. Look them up on the web.

Look up on the Web: myths and misconceptions about disabilities.

Disability Hub MN is a free statewide resource network that helps you solve problems, navigate the system and plan for your future. At the Hub, we focus on your needs — helping you understand your options, connect to resources and find solutions. We're here to help you get the answers you need. We'll help you think through additional options and identify new paths toward creating the life you want.

The Arc Minnesota is a private, non-profit, statewide voluntary organization. Our mission is promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) MSCOD is an agency that collaborates, advocates, advises and provides information to expand opportunities, increase the quality of life and empower all persons with disabilities.

Requirement 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.

I promise that I will… …positive attitude… …people with disabilities… …encourage positive attitudes…. My own awareness has changed and this is how…

This merit badge can be life changing depending on what you were willing to put into it and how much you learn and experience. Summarize below how you and your awareness have changed.

Requirement 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.

Physical Therapists Occupational Therapists Speech-Language Pathologists Clinical Social Worker Special Education Teachers Off-site Job Coach Specialist After School Leader-YMCA Program Advocate Group Homes for Vulnerable Adults Investigator Patient Care Assistant Case Manager (Counselor) Program Director Life Skills Coach/Independent Living Family Services Worker Mental Health Technician

Developmental Disability Specialist Caregiver Early Intervention Service Coordinator Host Home Provider Librarian II QIDP Psychiatrist ABA Behavior Therapist Meals on Wheels Driver Distributor Assisted Living Worker

Google: Careers working with disabled. You will find a lot of websites. Also try Jobs working with disabled to see what kind of jobs are out there and how much they pay.

Congratulations!! You have finished the merit badge. Now go out and change the world and teach what you have learned to your friends and family and put what you have learned into practice. That’s what scouts do. Thanks for letting me help you. Jared