Years of data tell us that people with disabilities are more likely to encounter law enforcement than typically developing peers, and more likely to struggle to navigate that interaction. We're here to help you get ready for any police interactions so you feel safer and readier, and to give officers a chance to learn directly from people with disabilities and their families.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is partnering again with the Fairfax County Police and Emergency Services to offer a great opportunity for people with disabilities and their loved ones to practice emergency situations. For this event, participants can engage in a practice police stop with real officers AND/OR a practice subject stop.

For the practice traffic stops, the person with a disability can be the driver or passenger. The vehicle will be pulled over (or can just park and get into the car) in a parking lot. Officers will approach the car and run a practice stop. You can also have an officer in the car with you to help you navigate the stop.

For the practice subject stops, the person with a disability can practice any (or all) of the following- pretend to ask an officer for help, pretend an officer is approaching them to ask questions, pretending to approach an officer just to start a conversation. People can ask anything they want and practice as many times as they want.

Look to see that the location where you're signing up has either traffic stops, subject stops, or both based upon what you'd like to practice. All events are 10/23/21 from 3-5 PM, other than the Sully Station stop which is 10/23/21 from 11 AM-1 PM. Have questions before you sign up? Email Lucy.Beadnell@TheArcofNOVA.org and we're happy to help you.

Note that this event is open to anyone with any disability or general anxiety about police interactions, regardless of where they live.

This event is funded by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.