After two very successful recent events in the Plymouth area, we’re back to Bridge the Gap in Shrewsbury at three excellent events hosted by the MA Department of Developmental Services and the UMASS Donahue Institute. First we trained local law enforcement officers from police departments across the state with the only evidence-based police training in the country: Experience Autism®.

Next we paired officers with self-advocates with autism and other developmental disabilities for a BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screening. Finally we held a BE SAFE Certificate Course to enable educators and service providers to use BE SAFE with a wide range of learners. We appreciate the opportunity to expand the reach of these programs in MA and excited to see what our BE SAFE Certificate Holders do next!

Thanks to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department and Hanson PD, for helping to sponsor the officer training, and the officers from Scituate PD, Belmont PD and an officer from Berlin (CT) PD who participated. Read the Wicked Local article at https://hanson.wickedlocal.com/news/20190612/hanson-police-learn-about-autism

All of us together: Officers, individuals with autism and related conditions, staff/companions and BE SAFE Certificate Course participants

Emily Iland challenges officers to Experience Autism® and develop empathy, understanding and skills to interact with special needs populations

Officers tried the same task, with and without accommodations for their “disability” to discover that accommodations are NOT special treatment