09/01/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19GzxgeJrW/
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2026
1230 PM-4 PM
Richland Community College, Shilling Center
One College Park, Decatur IL
Blue Envelope Program
A featured component will be a Blue Envelope training session for autistic individuals who drive. Participants will learn how the Blue Envelope can help facilitate communication during a traffic stop and provide information to an officer about the driver's communication needs.
Each participating driver will receive a Blue Envelope to use as part of the program.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a mock traffic stop with law enforcement officers. This hands-on activity will walk participants through what to expect during a traffic stop, how an officer may approach and communicate with a driver, and how to appropriately present and use the Blue Envelope.
The goal is to reduce anxiety and increase familiarity with the process for both drivers and responders.
Touch the Truck & Meet Your Responders
The afternoon will also include a "Touch the Truck" responder event, featuring police, fire, and EMS vehicles and equipment.
This informal, hands-on opportunity will allow individuals and families to:
• Meet local police, firefighters, and EMS personnel in a low-pressure environment.
• Become familiar with emergency vehicles and equipment before encountering them during an actual emergency.
• Ask questions and learn what to expect when emergency responders arrive.
• Build familiarity and trust between the autism community and local emergency response agencies.
• Experience responder interactions in a controlled environment that allows individuals to become more comfortable with sights, sounds, and equipment they may encounter during an emergency.
The overall afternoon session is intended to meet people where they are, build familiarity before an emergency occurs, and create positive connections between individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and the responders who may be called upon to assist them.
Program Purpose
Project SAFER Spectrum recognizes that preparedness works both ways. Responders benefit from understanding autism and effective communication strategies, while individuals on the spectrum and their families benefit from knowing what to expect from emergency responders.
By bringing responders and the community together in a familiar, supportive setting, the program seeks to understand, respect, and protect individuals with autism during emergency and public safety encounters.
