Workshop focuses on helping disabled

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Dozens of members of law enforcement and first responders from across Tippecanoe County came to Lafayette Friday to learn more about interacting with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

It was a free training workshop put on by the Arc of Tippecanoe County for working with both crime suspects and victims with disabilities.

Participants learned how to identify if someone they're working with has a disability and how to most effectively communicate with that person.

"It's easy to forget that sometimes it's just speaking slower, speaking in shorter sentences, giving one direction at a time," said Arc board member Jill Vaught. "Some really basic things can make all the difference in the world and take a situation and make it a positive situation instead of a negative one."

"They're a niche group in society, and when they have emergencies or problems that we need to respond with, it's important that we deal adequately with them," said Nathan Brown, a detective with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department who participated in the workshop.

Vaught said the class was paid for by an autism group out of Indianapolis. She said the Arc has a little money left over, so the organization may offer the workshop again in the fall.

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