All About Accessibility: Communication Disability Law

 

 

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

 

As Ohio Governor Mike DeWine explains in the Communication Disability Law awareness video, individuals with a medically diagnosed communication disability, who drive or who are regular passengers in a vehicle, can 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 harm the individual with a communication disability or 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.