Newtown police officers, and their brothers and sisters in blue everywhere, are trained how to approach a vehicle during a traffic stop, in the event of a crash, or if a vehicle may be parked and occupied somewhere out on the road.

And if the operator has autism spectrum disorder or another medical or behavioral condition that could affect their behavior, it is sometimes possible they could act in a way that leads an officer to assess that the person might be otherwise impaired — triggering a protocol that could be very confusing, upsetting, and even in some cases, dangerous for that driver.

The recently initiated Blue Envelope program from the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), aims to help. Newtown’s police and human services departments are now distributing printed blue envelopes and an insert message that can be carried in the glove box or on the visor of any vehicle being operated by someone with such a disorder.

The envelope is a place for the driver to keep their license, registration, and insurance card, along with a document that explains their medical diagnosis and provides the contact information of another person who can verify that detail.

The front of the envelope is printed with instructions for the driver, reminding them how to respond if encountering an officer and how to present the blue envelope to that officer. On the back is a list of behaviors the officer may witness, and advice on how to effectively communicate with that individual.

Newtown Capt Christopher Vanghele recently told The Newtown Bee that the program is similar to others that help identify to officers when a driver might be hearing impaired or if they have some other type of nonevident disability.

“This was created under Public Act 161 that went into effect on January 1,” Capt Vanghele explained. Soon after, his department obtained a supply of the blue envelopes and produced copies of the insert letter, which can be requested at the 3 Main Street headquarters.

Insert Message Text

The insert letter reads, “I Have Autism: I have been medically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. My medical condition impairs my ability to communicate with others.

“As a result I may have difficulty understanding your directions, and I may not be able to respond to your questions. I may also become physically agitated if you touch me or move too close to me.

“Please do not interpret my behavior as refusal to cooperate. I am not intentionally defying your instructions.” There is a space on the back where the verifying party’s contact information should be written.

Capt Vanghele shared the insert with Human Services Director Natalie Jackson, who was very happy to have access to the program materials.

“It’s a wonderful new tool that will certainly make a difference if someone with autism spectrum disorder encounters one of our officers,” she said. “I’m thrilled that we can collaborate with our police department on getting the word out, and being another location where the envelopes are distributed.”

Anyone wishing to obtain the blue envelope can also do so at the Human Services office on the corner of Wasserman Way and Trades Lane — the former guard’s residence at the main entrance to Fairfield Hills. According to the DMV, they can also be picked up at any DMV location, at driving schools, and through autism advocacy groups.

Public Act 161, Section 39 directed the commissioner of the Department of Transportation to work with the CPCA and at least one organization that advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder to create the content and begin distributing it after January 1.

Newtown Youth and Family Services Director Candice Bohr, who is also a paramedic, had heard about the program as it was being rolled out.

“I think this is an amazing thing that Newtown Police is doing,” Ms Bohr said. “I know several families who are super excited that there is specialized training, that all officers will know what to expect from someone [operating] the car, and the additional awareness they should have about them.”

Newtown Youth and Family Services is planning to be another distribution point for the envelopes, as the group serves individuals up to age 35 with their autism support and activity programs.

“This will benefit them to have in their cars, 100 percent,” Ms Bohr added.

A ‘Terrific Idea’

Linda Jones, who founded Families United in Newtown (FUN) agreed that this is an important tool. She said she has seen many of the youths participating with her group go on to obtain their drivers licenses.

“This is such a terrific idea, and so forward thinking of our police department to adopt it so quickly,” Ms Jones said. “It’s easy to imagine situations where a kid on the spectrum may get frightened or even agitated if they are confronted by an officer.”

The FUN founder said in those situations, verbal communication may be difficult.

“Unfortunately a lot of these kids might not immediately understand an officer’s instructions and some may be fearful. Now with this blue envelope, they have an ability to communicate their disability in another way if they are pulled over,” Ms Jones said. “I love it, this is an outstanding program and I plan to ask if our FUN meetings can be another point of distribution for the blue envelopes.”

Capt Vanghele also noted that on January 1, House Bill 7000 went into effect. That new law directed the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities to develop an additional communication aid that would be available for emergency medical services personnel, police officers, firefighters, and mobile and other mental health intervention personnel.

That aid — an illustrated flip book printed with English and Spanish text — describes techniques for serving and interacting with juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, and nonverbal learning disorder. It contains communication aids for use during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered or impossible.

Each Newtown officer can call up that flip book on their in-car computer monitor anytime it might be needed, Capt Vanghele said.

For more information on the Blue Envelope program, visit portal.ct.gov/dmv-blue-envelope.