[NAME OF COMMITTEE]
[DATE] Hearing on [BILL NUMBER]
Written Testimony of [NAME], [RELATIONSHIP TO THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY]
Position: SUPPORT [BILL NUMBER]
The passage of this bill is a critically important step forward to ensure that individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are active participants in the training of first responders. It will increase the effectiveness of information that is provided to first responders regarding individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
My name is [NAME], and I am [RELATIONSHIP TO DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY]. I submit this testimony today as a person with an experienced view on this issue.
My child, [NAME], is able to accomplish many things. She is able to learn new skills and ways of doing things. She is helpful and is always willing to participate in a wide variety of activities. She also considers going to the theater one of her most favored activities! After the tragic, and unnecessary, loss of Ethan Saylor, I must confess that my concern with her going to the theater when she is an adult is greatly increased.
We know that often [NAME OF CHILD] needs extra time to process what is being asked of her. If we ask her to do something quickly she may hesitate while trying to understand the what, and why, of what we are asking. She may become confused in an emergency situation (i.e. an injury to a family member requiring medical attention) and struggle to understand what she should do. It is important to understand that even well-intentioned people may complicate a situation because they don’t fully understand or appreciate the way to interact with someone with an intellectual and/or developmental disability.
This behavior, and the need to have extra time to process information, is a common experience with individuals who have cognitive impairments. Unfortunately, in emergency situations, first responders are usually acting quickly to control a situation in order to keep everyone, and themselves, safe. They may not recognize that the person not following their directions is not intentionally trying to be difficult or threatening. They also may not understand that the person wants to comply but is struggling to understand what it is they are expected to do.
The best way to understand a person with a disability is to interact with them. Obviously that can’t be done with every individual although the next best thing is to interact with them while learning how to better serve and protect them. I believe that through those interactions first responders will learn how to use patience and understanding to help a person with a disability process the commands being presented to them. They will also learn how to best interact to ensure the person understands what is being asked of them, so they can comply.
I would hope that [STATE] recognizes this opportunity to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families by preparing these individuals to participate in the training of first responders. It will help the responders better understand people with disabilities and how they can be more effective in helping and protecting them. In establishing [NAME OF TRAINING PROGRAM], [STATE’S] emergency service personnel will become more effective in ensuring the safety and welfare of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
Please support [BILL NUMBER] so that individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are able to participate in the training of first responders and others.
[NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER]