The initiative will provide participants with a blue envelope to hold their driver’s license, registration, insurance and other important documents. Communication guidelines on the outside of the envelope will inform law enforcement officers on that individual’s communication needs in the case of a traffic stop or other interaction.

Participants will also receive a vehicle decal, wallet card and information guide as part of the program.  If stopped by the police, the spokesperson says residents should tell the officer they have a blue envelope and then provide it. 

The announcement says the program “helps reduce misunderstandings and provides officers with information that may help them communicate more effectively and patiently.” The program is available to residents with communication-related needs or conditions including autism, anxiety, dementia and others.

Upper Arlington is not the first central Ohio community to implement the statewide program. The Hilliard Police Department began using it last year.

"The envelope's great for storing your paperwork. You don't have to dig through your glove box when it's stressful and find it," Hilliard Detective Brandon Long told 10TV in October. "As officers, it's hard. We have to get to a scene, and it's rapidly evolving. It could be an emergency scene. It could be something chaotic."

"It helps us figure out what's going on, helps—hopefully—put the driver, passenger at ease, and then we can hopefully work through that situation together," Long added.

Blue envelope packets are free for residents and can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Upper Arlington Police Department at 3600 Tremont Rd. or Fire Station 72 at 3861 Reed Rd.