21-02-2025
County unveils disability registry
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) – First responders in Columbiana County now have a new tool to help them assist people with developmental disabilities.
The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) and the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency recently unveiled the Columbiana County Disability Registry which provides first responders with information such as name, address, diagnoses, communication/mobility needs, and other pertinent health information that would help during an emergency.
Residents can also add triggers to the registry that may cause reactions, along with calming methods and specific locations where someone may go if under stress.
Registration is open to anyone served by CCBDD. A form can filled out which is then entered in the county's 911 database.
Holly Adams, CCBDD Behavior Support Supervisor, said the idea for the registry was born after police were called to assist an autistic person who was unable to respond to police due to a communication deficit. Because officers didn't know why the individual wasn't responding, the situation escalated until a family member arrived to intervene.
'After this happened in Columbiana County, it hit home that this was a real-life incident of a classic scenario where an autistic individual couldn't respond and the police didn't know why he wasn't responding. The registry came directly from this incident,' she said.
Brian Rutledge, director of the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency, said all five county dispatch centers have access to the information. Dispatchers are automatically alerted whenever they receive a call that someone on the registry needs assistance. They can relay this vital information to first responders who can make changes in how they interact with the person.
The plan doesn't stop with the registry. Erin Anthony, CCBDD Behavior Intervention Specialist, is working with first responders to understand typical behaviors in people with certain disabilities like autism and explore simple changes responders can make to prevent potential issues. For instance, if a disabled person's trigger is flashing lights, simply turning off the emergency lights and sirens can help calm the individual.
Anyone who wishes to be included in the registry is asked to call the CCBDD Behavior Support Department at 330-424-0404.
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