Police Turn To Virtual Reality To Train Officers On Those With Special Needs

Virtual reality is being used to help train police in one of the nation's largest cities on how to deal with people who have disabilities or mental health issues as part of a pilot program. Read More ;

'Game-Changing' App Helps Police Interact With People With Special Needs

In the past, police might have had little information to help them navigate interactions with individuals who have disabilities, but one app could help change that. Read More ;

Autism And The Law: Boy's Incarceration Reveals Failures Of The System

With escalating behavior issues, county caseworkers told the mother of a teen with autism to call police if her son acted out. Now he's facing felony charges that he doesn't comprehend. Read More >

App Bridges Gap Between Police, Those With Special Needs

A new smartphone app is alerting police officers with information about people with "invisible disabilities" in the hopes of better managing crisis situations. Read More; 

Crime Twice As Common Among People With Disabilities

People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victims of violent crime, according to new federal data. Read More ;

Interacting with the Police

NAA's Meet the Police
safety initiative is a free, downloadable toolkit for individuals with autism, parents or caregivers who are concerned about their loved one's safety in the community. The purpose of this program is to help enhance the quality of interactions between individuals with autism and members of law enforcement.

The toolkit includes steps you can take to establish trusting relationships, reduce confusion and fear, and encourage opportunities for law enforcement agencies to get to know members of their community who may be at increased risk due to behaviors commonly associated with autism.

Police Get Schooled On Special Needs Interactions

Three years after a man with Down syndrome died in a struggle with sheriff's deputies, police recruits in one state are taking part in mandatory disability training.  https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/01/19/police-special-needs/21793/

Supreme Court Considers Police Obligations Under ADA

In a case before the nation's high court, justices are weighing the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act during encounters with law enforcement.  http://enewsletters.disabilityscoop.com/c/23567217/43719/npTeuJd/mrw8d06zhi?redirect_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.disabilityscoop.com%2F2015%2F03%2F24%2Fsupreme-considers-police-ada%2F20154%2F

Obama Task Force Urges Improved Police Interactions

A presidential task force is encouraging police departments across the nation to be more mindful of their dealings with people who have disabilities.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/03/obama-police-interactions/20105/

Supreme Court To Weigh Police Obligations Under ADA

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could set standards for police treatment of people with disabilities.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/12/02/supreme-court-police-ada/19881/

Justice Department Developing Disability Training For Police

Plans are in the works at the U.S. Department of Justice to roll out law enforcement training focused on people with disabilities.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/21/justice-training-police/19532/

Self-Advocates Train To Have Safe Encounters With Police

Beyond training police officers, there is a new effort underway to prepare people with developmental disabilities for potential encounters with law enforcement. http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/14/self-advocates-police/19508/

Crisis Training Pays Big Dividends, Study Finds

Training police to respond to situations involving people with developmental disabilities and other behavioral disorders leads to fewer arrests and more treatment referrals.   http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/04/01/crisis-training-dividends/19247/

Center To Bridge Divide Between Disability Community, Police

A first-of-its-kind national center is in the works with an eye toward improving interactions between individuals with developmental disabilities and law enforcement.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/09/23/center-bridge-police/18745/