Inland Regional Center (IRC) hosted its second Blue Envelope Program training for the community on August 23, 2025. Law enforcement officers, first responders, community partners, and families came together to learn about the program and how it can improve communication between law enforcement and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The IRC partnered with the Autism Society Inland Empire (ASIE) and 24 Hour Homecare to organize the training. The event was funded by the Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC) funds from the Department, which covered interpretation, translation services, and outreach to diverse communities.
What is the Blue Envelope Program?
It is a program that provides drivers with autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or who are Deaf or hard of hearing with a blue envelope to keep in their car to hold their license, registration, and insurance card. The envelope serves as a visual cue for officers that the driver may need unique supports. Some accommodation strategies that officers could use during routine traffic stops include:
- Lowering the volume on their radio
- Allowing the driver extra time to respond
- Using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods, such as tablets, picture boards, or speech devices
- Using plain language and speaking clearly with limited jargon during interactions
The envelope also includes step-by-step instructions for drivers about what to expect during a traffic stop.
However, the Blue Envelope Program is not just for drivers.
IRC and other communities around the State have expanded the program to include items such as car decals, lanyards, seatbelt covers, keychains, and bracelets. These items give law enforcement a visual cue that the person may need extra accommodations in any encounter, not just on the road.
The program is voluntary, free, and self-implemented.
How the Program Started
The Blue Envelope Program began in Connecticut in 2020, when lawmakers passed a bill to improve communication between people with autism and law enforcement. Since then, the program has expanded to other parts of the country. States that have adopted it include Connecticut (2020), Massachusetts (2023), Rhode Island (2025), and Arkansas, where it is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Blue Envelope Efforts in California
In California, Senate Bill 664 was introduced in February 2025 to make the Blue Envelope Program a statewide initiative by 2027. The bill did not pass, but several local communities have moved ahead on their own.
Regional centers and local law enforcement agencies are working together to bring the program to their areas, tailoring it to community needs. In addition to IRC, communities in California that have started the Blue Envelope Program include:
Learn More
In partnership with their local law enforcement agencies, IRC and ASIE have developed a training curriculum, emerging best practices guide, video library, and a coalition to support implementation of the Blue Envelope Program in their communities.
Visit IRC’s Emergency and Disaster Management webpage for resources, training information, and best practices developed through their program.
Key components of the project include:
- assessing law enforcement training needs
- documenting personal experiences
- identifying effective outreach strategies to foster better understanding and engagement
Contact your local regional center, sheriff’s department, or police department to learn more about the Blue Envelope Program in your community.