FREMONT – Flashing lights approaching behind your vehicle give all of us a little jolt of anxiety – no matter the situation. Imagine that anxiety amplified, knowing that your ability to communicate with officers may be hindered by your disability. Thousands of drivers throughout Ohio know this feeling – and a simple blue envelope can help.
The Sandusky County Board of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the implementation of the Blue Envelope Program. The program uses communication tools to assist individuals with developmental disabilities during interactions with law enforcement and emergency personnel.
“We are excited to be offering this program in Sandusky County as it promotes inclusion as well as safety and is a communication tool between law enforcement and those we serve,” said Sarah Zimmerman, Superintendent of the Sandusky County Board of DD.
The key part of the program is the Blue Envelope itself. The envelope has space on the outside for information about the disability and/or medical conditions of the driver or passenger of the vehicle. A copy of an ID/driver’s license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance card can be kept inside the envelope which would be handed to a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop. Having this information in one place makes it easier to communicate with officers and reduces anxiety during a traffic stop.
The second piece of the program is the Blue Envelope Car Decal. The three-inch decal features the program logo and can be placed on a vehicle’s windows to discreetly communicate to law enforcement and first responders that the occupants participate in the Blue Envelope Program. They will be aware that a person in that vehicle may have a disability that could affect their action or speech. The Blue Envelope Wallet Card is included in the packet for people who want a method of communication they can carry in their pocket or purse. It is a smaller version of the envelope that can be used anywhere.
“Law enforcement recognizes that disabilities such as autism or mental health conditions may require additional accommodation or awareness during an interaction. It’s amazing that something as simple as an envelope can do so much,” said Chief Derek Wensinger of the Fremont Police Department.
Blue Envelope packets are available at the Sandusky County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Fremont Police Department offices. The packets are available for free to anyone with a developmental disability.
The flagship Blue Envelope Program was designed by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and has been implemented nationally with various agencies. The program first appeared in Ohio with a program developed by the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office in 2024.
For more information about Sandusky County’s Blue Envelope Program, contact Lea Perrine at lperrine@scbdd.org.
The Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities is newly involved in the Blue Envelope Program. Envelopes will be available soon at the Board of DD.
More Info