The CommCard Program
Facilitating effective communication between helping professionals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Consider this:
Because of their vulnerability, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are 4 to 10 times more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system. When this happens, police, attorneys and judges need information. But communication impairments can result in poor outcomes with legal authorities.
A simple communication tool can make the difference between a routine police call and a traumatic experience. That’s where the CommCard Program comes in.
How the CommCard Program Helps
The CommCard Program seeks to facilitate effective communication between all helping professionals and people with developmental disabilities, and suggest accommodations in different situations.
Our CommCard Program includes a voluntary, fully customizable card (CommCard) that includes the name of the cardholder, the names and contact information of two advocates, behaviors that may be misunderstood and suggestions for communication accommodations. There is also room for a stress-diffusing topic and notice about potential trauma-inducing factors.
To learn more about The CommCard Program, contact Misha Marie at mmarie@arcbenton.org or send us a message.