Blue Envelope Program
What is the Blue Envelope Program?
The Blue Envelope Program aims to reduce miscommunication with individuals who have invisible disabilities by providing officers key information, lowering the burden for the participant.
This program is completely voluntary and participants can self-enroll at any time. No information on participants is stored in our databases.
Important Reminder: The Program does not exempt participants from legal obligations. Safety First. Officers may still use necessary safety actions.
Using Your Blue Envelope
Make sure to review and prepare your blue envelope ahead of time.
- Complete requested information on the envelope, including your name, marking applicable boxes, and filling in personal details that you feel are helpful to an officer making contact with you.
- Remember participation in the Blue Envelope Program is entirely voluntary – You can choose what and how much information you wish to share about yourself. Take time to think about what you care comfortable sharing and what you feel an officer would benefit from knowing about your disability during an interaction.
- Include a copy of your Driver’s License or ID, Vehicle Registration, and Insurance (as applicable).
- Include (only to the extent that you are comfortable) any applicable documents that would be helpful in a medical or mental health emergency (e.g. Power of Attorney or Psychiatric Advance Directive paperwork).
During a traffic stop:
- Keep your hands on the steering wheel or open on your lap until the office approaches you, even if they are not at your car yet.
- When the officer approaches you, tell them you have a blue envelope. Wait until you have the officer’s permission before attempting to locate your envelope.
- Do not reach for your envelop before the officer tells you it’s okay to do so.
- When the officer tell you it’s okay, slowly get the envelope and hand it to the officer.
- The officer will return to their vehicle to check your information, and you will need to wait in your car until they come back. Do not leave or exit your vehicle.
- When the officer returns they will explain what is happening and anything else they need from you. They will tell you when you can leave.
Remember: It’s important to remain calm and follow directions during interactions with an officer. Having a blue envelope is not a substitute for following officer directives during an interaction, and officers are obligated to respond to unsafe behavior using their training.
Learn more about how to use your Blue Envelope here: https://youtu.be/eCwKnqmWEVc