Law Enforcement/Public Safety

Disability Awareness Training has a customized training session specific to law enforcement and public safety. Public service professionals encounter a high volume of situations whereby they come in contact with individuals with disabilities. This is especially true in law enforcement/public safety where situations can vary from high intensity (MICA individual) to very confusing (severe MR, CP with speech impairment). Recent statistics indicate that 50%-80% of encounters by officers involve an individual with a disability. In discussion with select local law enforcement personnel and the Criminal Justice department at Niagara University, appropriate training to the extent necessary to understand and properly address matters is not provided to officers.

Campus Public Safety encounters varying challenges with regards to a student population. This training gets specific to these matters so as to ensure that personnel can best address them. Included, but not limited, are signs of depression, suicide prevention, co-morbidities, and 'hidden disabilities'.

This training will address the history of disabilities, proper etiquette and interaction skills, disabilities most prevalent to law enforcement/public safety and how best to respond, current trends and topics, definitions of specific disabilities, and best practices. Hand outs and resource materials will provide officers with pertinent information they can use in everyday interactions. The trainer maintains himself as a resource for life to help with issues that may arise when an officer needs further clarification or direction. Training lasts three hours with one break.