Being Inclusive

Being inclusive in Girl Scouts means welcoming every girl into your troop. Always focus on every individual as a person first regardless of ability, background, race, ethnicity, culture, or anything else. Also focus on a girl’s abilities and what she can do, rather than what she cannot.

Plan activities that explore the diversity and culture that exists in your own troop or service unit. Remember to plan flexible activities that consider various energy levels, interests, and skills. Consider the needs, resources, safety, required accommodations, and beliefs of all members and potential members.

Ask About Needs and Accommodations

Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has a disability—so please do not rely on visual cues alone so, be sure to ask.

If you want to find out what accommodations a girl may need to make her Girl Scout experience successful, simply ask her or her parent/guardian. If you are frank and accessible, it’s likely they will respond in a kind way, creating an open environment.

Offer Assistance When Appropriate

It is okay to offer assistance, but wait until your offer is accepted before you begin to help. Listen closely to any instructions or preferences the person may have.

Speak Directly to the Individual

Speak to individuals with disabilities directly, not through a parent, guardian, or friend. When speaking to an individual by using an interpreter, speak to the individual directly.

Be sure to use people first language that eliminates generalizations and stereotypes, by focusing on the person rather than the disability.

When greeting an individual with a visual disability, always identify yourself and others. For example, you might say, “Hi, it’s Sheryl. Tara is on my right and Chris is on my left.”

Be Considerate of Individuals with Wheelchairs

When speaking to an individual in a wheelchair for an extended period of time, or for a personal matter, place yourself at eye level. Keep in mind that leaning on an individual’s wheelchair can be an invasion of space.

All volunteers are setting an example for girls to share their unique gifts and share appropriate aspects of their lives. By modeling inclusiveness, we teach girls to problem solve, care for the world around them, and offers the opportunity to learn about diversity in our modern culture. By embracing others and diversity, girls learn to embrace diversity in their lives however it may come.

Try encouraging cooperation instead of competition. Activities that don’t only result in winning or losing can engage girls in problem-solving skills and will ensure everyone feels accommodated.

Give any girl the opportunity to do her best, and she will! It is important for all girls to be rewarded based on their best efforts, not on the completion of a task. To do this, you may have to change a few rules or approach an activity creatively.

Here are some examples of ways to modify activities:

• Invite a girl to participate in an activity she has observed others doing.
• If you are visiting a museum, find out if a girl who has limited vision can get permission to touch some of the pieces. Scope out the sound pieces the museum might have.
• If an activity requires running, a girl who is unable to run could be asked to walk or do another physical movement.
• If you feel a family is not participating in the Cookie Sale because of socio-economic reasons, arrange for the girl to participate in troop booth activities, troop door-to-door selling and troop goal setting. For example, the Girl Scout can send invitations to friends and family to visit their booth to purchase cookies for her troop. She can also help make booth decorations or help plan the event.

We understand that knowing how to accommodate for different needs and include every girl may feel complicated and overwhelming, especially when it comes to modifying activities. Girl Scouts River Valleys is here to support you and ensure you have the tools and guidance needed to be inclusive.

Girl Scouts River Valleys maintains a list of books, print resources, DVDs, Videos, and web resources for inclusivity. We are happy to recommend recourses unique to your situation.

To request an American Sign Language interpreter or to request reimbursement for interpreting services, our Request for American Sign Language Interpreter Form should be submitted at least one week in advance of needing interpretation services.