Media Advisory for Feb. 5: AADD Trains GBI Officers on Best Practices For People with Disabilities

ATLANTA - Feb. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Feb. 5: All About Developmental Disabilities Trains Georgia Bureau of Investigation Officers on Best Practices When Encountering People with Developmental Disabilities

When: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, at 10 a.m.

Where: Georgia Bureau of Investigation Headquarters, 3121 Panthersville Rd., Decatur, Ga. 30034

What: On Feb. 5, 2014, All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) will be training approximately thirty Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)  law enforcement officers and other first responders on how best to deal with individuals with developmental disabilities when they encounter them on emergency or law enforcement calls.

AADD provides Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement and other first responders through its Justice and Developmental Disabilities program. This training helps to educate them on the different issues that may arise.

Developmental Disabilities and Law Enforcement

Developmental disability traits which can be problematic in police situations include:

--Problems understanding Miranda warnings, which are written at a seventh grade level
--Answering leading questions with the implied answers regardless of fact
--Reacting badly to touch, loud noises or bright lights
--Refusal to make eye contact or answer questions

--Difficulty phrasing responses, or even difficulty speaking

AADD has trained more than 2,000 law enforcement officials, judges, and attorneys on developmental disabilities, in 86 counties throughout the state. The CIT training offers best practices when encountering individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice system and covers:

--Recognizing different developmental disabilities
--Communication techniques to de-escalate the encounter
--Understanding that those with developmental disabilities are five to ten times more likely to be victims of crimes
--Considering alternatives to incarceration in situations where a community resource would better serve the individual

Developmental disabilities are defined as severe chronic disabilities that limit three or more critical functional abilities.  Examples include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism disorders, fetal alcohol disorders and intellectual disabilities.  These disabilities often manifest early in life (before age 18) and last a lifetime.

Interviews Available:

    Crandall Heard, AADD’s Justice and Developmental Disabilities Project Manager, crandall@aadd.org, 404-881-9777

  Debbie Shaw, GBI Statewide CIT Program Administrator, debbie.shaw@gbi.ga.gov, 478-993-4601

About All About Developmental Disabilities
Founded in 1956,All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating lifelong support, education and opportunities for children, adults and families living with developmental disabilities.  AADD provides support services, advocacy and training to families living with developmental disabilities.

Georgia relies on an disjointed system of services and support that cannot be sustained long-term.  Economic uncertainties are reducing funding support, even as the number of people in need increases.  AADD offers a range of services focusing on Family Support, Public Policy and Advocacy and Community Engagement.  For more information, go towww.AADD.org or call us at (404) 881-9777.

Contact: Mitch Leff, Leff & Associates, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com