KidAccess has joined with other institutions and individuals as part of a Disability Awareness Project. Working with police officers in Western Pennsylvania we have developed a low-cost, low-overhead communication system that can be used in emergency situations with individuals who have hearing or language impairments, or developmental or cognitive delays. The 36 concepts listed below were chosen after surveying police officers about the ideas they most need to communicate -- click on an entry to see the associated image:

Each concept is given in both an eye-con form & as American Sign Language illustrations. Materials are available in laminate & notebook forms. Laminate cards look and feel like luggage tags & come on a loop; they are intended for on-the scene-use & show one concept in eye-con form on the front with the corresponding ASL illustrations on the back. Notebook format has 4 concepts per sheet (symbol on the left, ASL on the right) printed on heavy stock paper and protected by plastic sheet separators. Notebooks are intended as a central resource, e.g., in the station house.

• The Standard Pack includes one heavy stock notebook containing all 36 concepts for central use, and 3 basic laminate sets (16 concepts in green). Price: $125.00
• The Standard-Plus Pack includes one 36-concept notebook, one full set of laminate (all 36 concepts) and 2 basic laminate (16 concepts in green). Price: $150.00
• Customization: true to our philosophy, any of these materials can be ordered separately or customized as needed for your community (e.g. we can change the color of the police car, police uniform, etc.)

What did we miss?
Is there a safety or emergency concept you want to teach your child that we don't have?
Please let us know.