All About Accessibility: Communication Disability Law

 

The Communication Disability Law helps reduce potential confusion and supports the safety of Ohioans who have challenges communicating.

 

A video explains the Communication Disability Law, which allows individuals with a medically diagnosed communication disability, who drive or who are regular passengers in a vehicle, to voluntarily enroll in a database that connects to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). The law enforcement officer is then aware that the driver or a passenger in the vehicle may have difficulty communicating and can approach the vehicle with awareness to help avoid a situation that could become harmful to either the individual with a communication disability or to the officer.

 

"This has been a game-changer for individuals with communication disabilities,” said Kevin L. Miller, Director of OOD. “By opting in, a communication disability is flagged for law enforcement, but exact disabilities (e.g., deaf, hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder) remain private.”

 

The video gives step-by-step instructions on how to register. Individuals interested can take a verification form to a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist to validate a communication disability. Completed forms should be submitted to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. For additional information, visit the Communication Disability Law webpage.