Resources for Safety Awareness

Navigate Life Texas works to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the content on this site. This blog has been updated since its first publication to reflect changes with other organizations, links to other sites and other information. The substance of the article and the writer’s story have not been altered.

We worry about what will happen if our child with a disability has an emergency or meltdown in public. 

How will first responders react? How will they communicate? Will they misunderstand the behaviors of our children? Will they feel threatened? 

How can we teach first responders to work well with our kids?

It takes a community effort. In an emergency, it’s important to know how to work with people with disabilities. Children with disabilities may lack a sense of danger. It can be hard to teach them about safety. 

We must prepare our children how to work with first responders and other security professionals.

Call your local fire department. Ask when you can bring your child for a visit. Help your child and the fire department staff get to know each other. See if there’s a summer Junior Deputy Academy program in your area. It’s a free weeklong camp for youngsters. The kids and law enforcement staff at the camp have a lot of fun while getting to know each other. 

It's important to train first responders to recognize signs of mental health problems, intellectual disabilities, autism and other medical conditions. Below are training options and family resources. A lot of the information is appropriate for all disabilities.

• The Wallet Card is a tool for a person with a disability to show their address, emergency contact and disability.  
• Law Enforcement, First Responders and People with Intellectual Disabilities is a webinar that offers awareness and training tools for first responders. 
• Autism Risk and Safety Management has training and resources for first responders, parents, educators and more. 
• Tip Sheets for First Responders (PDF) offers help on how to work with people with a wide range of disabilities in emergency situations. 
• Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan provides tools for fire safety planning. 

Read another parent’s story, Working With Emergency Responders.