The Blue Envelope Program: A Simple Solution

The University of Arizona Police Department is partnering with campus experts to train law enforcement officers throughout the state to safely and effectively communicate with autistic drivers during traffic stops. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the safety and comfort of individuals on the autism spectrum, ensuring that their unique communication needs are understood and respected.

The Blue Envelope Program, which originated at Southern Connecticut State University, provides blue envelopes to drivers on the spectrum. The drivers place their vehicle registration and proof of insurance in the envelope so they can hand it to an officer after a traffic stop. This simple yet effective solution serves as a vital tool for autistic drivers, promoting a smoother interaction with law enforcement.

“The blue envelope is the visual cue to the officer that the driver has autism or a spectrum disorder,” said Sgt. Andrew Valenzuela, UAPD public information officer. “The officer then starts to mitigate his or her communication behaviors accordingly to make it easier for the driver.” This initiative fosters a more inclusive environment, where autistic individuals can feel more at ease during potentially stressful encounters with law enforcement.

The envelope contains instructions for the driver and police officer on steps to take throughout the traffic stop. By providing a clear framework, this program helps both parties understand the best ways to communicate effectively and compassionately. Such proactive measures can significantly reduce misunderstandings during these interactions.

Tapping campus experts has been essential to the success of this program. Chris Olson, assistant vice president and chief of police, expressed his desire to implement a similar program during his previous position as support services division commander at the Oro Valley Police Department. However, he faced challenges due to a lack of resources. “One of the challenges is finding the autism clinicians and specialists to help write and teach a program like this,” Olson said. “When I got here, I realized I had access to a vast amount of resources and expertise in this field.”

Olson began collaborating with experts in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center, and the Disability Resource Center to create comprehensive training. This training focuses on how officers can tailor their approach to traffic stops to meet the needs of autistic drivers effectively.

“As we were brainstorming, for example, we felt that it was very important that officers understand that if somebody on the spectrum is not responding like an average person during a traffic stop, it may not be for any suspicious reason,” said Roxana Samaniego, director of clinical services for the SALT Center and one of the creators of the UAPD training program. “Many people experience different communication challenges that might impact them during a traffic stop.” This understanding is vital for reducing anxiety and ensuring that autistic drivers feel supported.

The training provides guidance for officers on how to safely and effectively communicate with autistic drivers. It also teaches them to identify behaviors often referred to as “stimming,” which might indicate that an autistic driver is experiencing distress. Those behaviors may include repetitive body movements, fidgeting, taking a long time to respond, or having trouble making or maintaining eye contact. Samaniego noted that officers should consider turning off their vehicles’ flashing lights and sirens, as bright lights and loud noises can cause heightened anxiety for those on the spectrum.

“Another thing officers could be looking at would be ways to make themselves better understood,” said Nell Maltman, assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, who also helped develop the training program. “If the officer is using abstract language, it would be a good idea instead to be a little more direct and clear.” This focus on clarity can help bridge the communication gap that often exists during traffic stops.

The training session held on April 24 was attended by approximately 75 law enforcement officers from across Arizona. Participants engaged in simulated traffic stops, allowing them to practice their newly acquired skills in a controlled environment with drivers using blue envelopes. This hands-on approach ensures that officers can confidently implement the training when interacting with autistic drivers in real-life situations.

What’s next for the program? UAPD plans to hold another training session in the fall, and Olson hopes to eventually make video training available through the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, which oversees training for Arizona police officers. “Our autism experts on campus did an incredible job putting this together, so we want to do a video to make sure we don’t experience ‘program drift,'” Olson said. “When you train the trainer instead of delivering the content directly, you can dilute the science and research as it goes down the chain.”

As research on autism continues to advance, the training will be updated with ongoing input from experts including Samaniego and Maltman. Olson also noted that there may be opportunities to add similar programs down the line, especially for conditions that have immediate safety impacts. “The most common interaction that a community member will have with law enforcement is a traffic stop,” Olson said. “If this is where we’re meeting the public most often, let’s make sure it’s safe.”