Automated Incident Alerting System for Individuals with Disabilities

This project develops and tests an Incident Alerting System (IAS) to enable real-time crossflow of information to law enforcement officials (LEOs) and caregivers of individuals with cognitive/communication disorders. Incidents involving LEOs and individuals with cognitive/communication disorders have resulted in negative outcomes (i.e., detention, imprisonment, physical/mental/emotional trauma, and in some incidents, fatalities). In some cases, LEOs did not recognize or were not aware of health conditions and/or associated behaviors of these individuals. Negative outcomes may have been avoided if the individual’s caregiver, parent, or guardian were quickly involved and able to serve as the individual’s advocate. IAS provides LEOs with up-to-date, real-time alerts about the medical conditions of individuals that they confront, and enables officers to contact caregivers immediately. The system also simultaneously alerts caregivers about an incident, enabling the caregiver to intervene promptly. During Phase I, the system is tested with normative individuals from an autism support group, a local LE agency, and parents/caregivers to gather user feedback. The system allows for improved safety of individuals with disabilities (i.e., autism, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive/behavioral disorders) in independent living, work, and learning environments. Additionally, the system may be used in conjunction with Amber/Silver Alerts, and in search-and-rescue operations. Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive disabilities, Communication, Emergency preparedness, Law enforcement, Safety.