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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Disabilities Awareness
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Disabilities Awareness promotes understanding, inclusion, and equal access for people with physical, sensory, intellectual, and invisible disabilities. You will learn person-first language and etiquette, visit a service agency, explore adaptive sports and assistive technologies, evaluate physical accessibility and invisible disability accommodations at two community sites, participate in advocacy or education, and make a personal commitment to building a more inclusive world.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Disability Rights & ADA Regulations
- Accessibility Audits & Barrier Removal
- Assistive Devices & Adaptive Technology
- Inclusive Volunteering & Advocacy
8Printable Pages
7Requirements
2021Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Disabilities Awareness Requirements
Every requirement for the Disabilities Awareness merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Terminology and Etiquette
Do the following:
- a Explain 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. Give three examples.
2Agency Visit
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.
3Conversations, Activities, and Assistive Technology
Do TWO of the following:
- a Talk with a Scout who has a disability and learn about the Scout's 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.
4Accessibility and Accommodation Surveys
Do ONE of the following options:
- Option A Option A—Access. 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.
- Option B Option B—Accommodation. 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.
5Advocacy
Explain what advocacy is. Do ONE of the following:
- 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 disabilities 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 or guardian'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.
6Personal Commitment
Make a commitment to your counselor describing what you will do to show a positive attitude about and toward people with disabilities and to encourage positive attitudes among others. Discuss how your awareness has changed as a result of what you have learned.
7Professions in Disability Services
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.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Disabilities Awareness requirements in 2021. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/disabilities-awareness/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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