Summer 2024

Greetings THINK+changers,

As the summer is ramping up, so is THINK+change! We are thrilled to announce our new educational packages that go in-depth on one disability topic through our TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS.

Each educational package:

• Creates awareness through TALKS – storytelling mini-documentaries to hear from lived experiences.
• Offers solutions through TRAININGS – courses, microlearning, and podcasts featuring community experts.
• Provides practical resouces through TOOLS – guides, worksheets, posters and more to reinforce learning.

This summer we dive into Police Interactions and Disability to improve communication between people with disabilities and law enforcement and expand the conversation around progress, promoting a safer community for everyone. These resources are intended for self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), parents and caregivers, and professionals working in the IDD field.

Thank you again for your support and we hope you enjoy these resources!

The THINK+change Team

720-213-1420

www.thinkchange.training

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PS - You can help us spread the word by using the Social Media Kit for this package!

This educational Package was made possible through support from Autism Society of CO, Colorado District Attorney’s Council, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, The Arc of Aurora

Building Bridges: People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement

When law enforcement is called out to a crisis involving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the situation is complicated. Communication challenges, a lack of training, and a misunderstanding of someone’s disability, can all lead to unfortunate challenging outcomes.

Building Bridges: People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement is series of mini-documentaries diving into the IDD community’s experience with police. Each story highlights progress and the continued need for conversation and steps towards solutions. Solutions that prioritize both justice and compassion.

Why you should watch

• Understand the lived experience of a mother of children with Autism and the desire for change;

• Join the journey of retired policer officer and her revolutionary collaborative police training changing interactions across Colorado;

• Learn from a Direct Support Provider’s perspective and success stories; and



• Sit down with an Aurora Police Officer and self-advocates with disabilities as they learn from one another in inspiring conversation.

Who should watch

• Families and Caregivers;
• Disability Professionals;
• Law Enforcement;
• Criminal Justice Educators; and
• Community Members wanting police reform and progress.

Prefer the audio version? It's also available as a podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeart Radio!

Police Interaction Readiness

Microlearning Series

Have you ever been worried about what will happen during a police response when it comes to you or someone you know with an intellectual or developmental disability? These three (3) short training videos aim to help you keep you and your loved ones safe, help the police do their job safely, and reduce anxiety about interactions.

These trainings feature real police officers and actors from the IDD community!

The videos include

• Emergency Response Options you have when you need to call in professionals to help you with a crisis.

• Knowing your Rights, a plain-language guide to help people with IDD understand their rights and how to use them when talking to the police.

• Police Interaction Safety, a plain-language guide to help people with IDD know how to keep themselves and police safe during an interaction. Includes Dos and Don’ts, an arrest demonstration, and other helpful tips.

Police Readiness

Checklist and Quick Card

Have you ever worried about what might happen if you or someone you know with an intellectual or developmental disability gets approached by the police out in the community? Or, what if you need to call them out to your home? THINK+change has TOOLS to help!

The TOOLS include

• Community Quick Card - A printable card to help people with communication barriers tell the police and community members about their needs, emergency information, and more.



• Inclusive 911 Dispatch Checklist - Help 911 dispatchers be able to prepare police and first responders to be able to help a person with IDD in your home. This checklist walks you through the vital information they need to know as well as resources for setting up notes with your local dispatch in advance.

Preparation is key in being able to navigate safely through an emergency or crisis response. Download these TOOLS today to help you and your loved ones be ready for a police interaction!

THINK+change has been creating original content for 7 years and our targeted THINK+change catalogs are a way for you to explore our TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS that are specifically tailored to your professional and personal interests in working with individuals with developmental and other disabilities!

Why you should explore

We have over seventy (70) original content-based TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS in one easy place covering topics such as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Special Education, Victimization, Self-Determination, The Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and MUCH MORE!

Erica Dennison

Operations Director

E: Edennison@thearcofaurora.org

P: 720-213-1420 ex. 107

www.thinkchange.training