Getting stopped by a law enforcement official can be a stressful event, even when it is only a minor traffic violation. It is even more stressful for those with conditions that may impede communication with the law enforcement official such as deafness or autism. Until recently, there was no easy way to ensure the official was aware of the individual’s condition to act accordingly.
This recently changed when the Communication Impediment Designation went into effect in Michigan in July 2021. This allows individuals with certain conditions to apply to the State of Michigan for a special designation notifying the law enforcement official to allow them to act accordingly. This effort was supported by members of several autism and deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing advocacy groups, so individuals with those conditions will likely qualify for the designation.
There are likely other conditions that this designation could apply to that weren’t specifically addressed. The individual/condition must be certified by a licensed physician, physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner or physical therapist (legislation to grant this certification power to other medical professionals is currently pending).
This designation will not appear on the individual’s driver’s license, state ID card, or vehicle registration, but it will be added to the individual’s record to allow law enforcement officers to see it. The purpose of this designation is to warn/notify the law enforcement official that the person may not be responsive to questions or comments. A form for this designation can be found here:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/BFS250_Communication_Impediment_App_728836_7.pdf
Further information on this designation, its effect, and the support it has received can be found at:
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-93094-564001–,00.html
