The Rocky Mountain ADA Center Creates 2nd Pocket Guide, Interacting with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, for Colorado Springs Police Department

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Rocky Mountain ADA Center (RMADAC), a member of the National Network of ADA Centers, is pleased to announce it has created and delivered to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) a customized second easy-to-use pocket guide titled, interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The pocket guide was designed to support CSPD's ongoing efforts to find innovative methods to increase effective communication between its officers and citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In 2019, RMADAC, created the "Signs of the Law" pocket guide for CSPD which was created to increase effective communication between officers and people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

"I am very proud of both organizations ability to come together, once again, and meet a need within CSPD by creating such a valuable tool which will assist in improving effective communications between police officers in Colorado Springs and people with IDD," said Emily Shuman, Deputy Director of RMADAC. "CSPD deserves a great deal of credit for being the first department in the rocky mountain region commission these guides that increase interactions between law enforcement and citizens with disabilities. We are hopeful many other departments will follow their leadership and purchase guides from RMADAC. Our team has the ability to customize guides to target any specific item involving ADA for law enforcement agencies and their interactions with people with disabilities."

Designing the interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pocket guide's images and language was a full collaboration between CSPD and RMADAC. The process to develop the guide was 100% customized to meet CSPD's specific needs. The two organizations partnered on the content, photography and design which was tailored to consistent interactions CSPD has had with the IDD population.

Information inside the pocket guide includes:

• Defining what makes and IDD including: Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD and several additional conditions are outlined
• Common traits and characteristics of a person with IDD
• Interaction tips for officers engaged with a person with IDD
• Do's and don'ts strategies for communication with people with IDD
• General information on the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II which covers state and local governments

To review and purchase the interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pocket guide and signs of the law, along with additional offerings from RMADAC, please click here.

About the Rocky Mountain ADA Center: The Rocky Mountain ADA Center provides information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals and organizations throughout Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Rocky Mountain ADA Center is a member of the National Network of ADA Centers and is funded by National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DP0094-01-00). Our center is powered by and is a project of Meeting the Challenge, Inc., a CP&Y company located in Colorado Springs, CO. The center's staff members represent a diverse and dynamic group of individuals who are dedicated to the driving spirit of the ADA as well as the complex standards behind the law. To connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center on social media, click here. The Rocky Mountain ADA Center is available to assist with any of the following areas: Material Dissemination, Technical Assistance on the ADA, Training, Referrals and Research.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is composed of two bureaus with many divisions, sections and units that work together to meet the unique needs of our community. Each bureau reports to the Office of the Chief of Police.

SOURCE Rocky Mountain ADA Center