Commission discusses 911 disability indicator and local care forms, plans website distribution and edits

Townsend’s Commission on Disability on May 28 reviewed two forms aimed at helping first responders and police: a statewide 911 'disability indicator' form that flags a phone number in the 911 system and a local 'care' form used by police to document specific supports and behaviors for people with autism, dementia or other cognitive needs.

The commission discussed keeping a municipal coordinator’s contact information on the 911 form and emphasized making both forms digitally accessible before posting them on the town website. The chair suggested distributing hard copies through the police department and the senior center and verifying that police-provided versions are compatible with the town’s intended digital format.

Members noted the 911 indicator form flags a number so first responders know there may be a disability at a given address; one participant summarized its function as, "that there's someone disabled in your home," so responders can tailor their approach. The local care form contains more detailed, sensitive information intended to aid police responses for people who may be prone to bolting or who need specialized communication techniques; the commission recommended privacy protections and proper referral pathways for deeply personal complaints.

Next steps include editing both forms for digital accessibility and adding the municipal coordinator contact to the 911 form prior to posting links on the commission’s page and coordinating distribution with the police department and senior center.