Blue Envelope Program
What is the Blue Envelope Program?
The Blue Envelope Program is a collaborative effort with a main goal of making traffic stops safer and easier to understand for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
- Who are the partnerships for the program?
- Massachusetts Chief of Police Association
- Massachusetts State Police
- Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts
- The Arc of Massachusetts
- Individuals and families with Autism
What does the Blue Envelope look like?
It is a Blue Envelope containing the driver’s license, registration and contact card. The envelope contains critical communication guidelines to assist law enforcement. This helps law enforcement recognize that the driver is on the autism spectrum disorder and adapt to the situation at hand.
The four key objectives of the program:
- Enhancing Understanding: Provides officers with immediate, accessible information on autism. This helps to promote empathy, patience, and more positive interactions in the future.
- Reducing Anxiety: For individuals who are on the autism spectrum disorder traffic can be more stressful. The envelope serves as a visual cue for the officers. This will help the officer adjust their communication style of their interaction with the individual. By doing so it helps reduce stress for the individual during the traffic stop.
- Streamlining Communication: The envelope contains guidelines for officers to make communication easier and less stressful for the individual in a traffic stop.
- Encouraging Preparedness: It is used as a tool for preparedness for individuals during traffic stops. The goal is to make the individual with autism spectrum disorder feel confident and secure during the traffic stop
The Blue Envelope is more than just an envelope; it's a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity and understanding. It represents a step forward in ensuring that every driver, regardless of their neurological differences, can experience a sense of safety and respect on the road. Through this program, we aim to build bridges between law enforcement and the autism community, fostering a culture of awareness and compassion that benefits everyone involved.”
-Mass.gov
How to get your Blue Envelope
Who do I contact the program?
How do I request a Blue Envelope?
In person: Find a Massachusetts State Police Barracks to go in person to request a blue envelop. Mass.gov has a link you can click on to find a barracks near you.
Online: On the Mass.gov website provides a link on entitled “Request a Blue Envelope” click that and follow the instructions on the screen.
If an individual is a minor a parent or legal guardian can request an envelope on their behalf. Blue Envelopes are free of charge. Individuals can request more than one envelope for the purpose of having one in each vehicle they drive regularly. Individuals who have a Blue envelope must keep their documents up to date and kept somewhere safe and accessible when driving.
Tips for individuals with autism spectrum disorder during a traffic stop:
- Stay calm.
- Follow the officer’s instructions.
- Keep your hands visible.
- Keep your hands on the steering wheel unless directed otherwise.
- There will be flashing lights and noises.
- If you are unable to communicate properly with the officer, you can ask them to call you designated emergency contact.
Sources:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/blue-envelope-program#contact
