DELAND, Fla. — The DeLand Police Department will join Florida’s Blue Envelope and Blue Card Program on Jan. 1, 2027, to help improve interactions between officers and drivers with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. Officers began training for the program Friday ahead of the launch.
The free, voluntary program allows drivers with autism to carry a blue envelope containing a copy of their driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Instructions on the outside of the envelope alert officers to the driver’s condition and provide communication recommendations.
Starting Jan. 1, eligible Floridians can request a blue envelope, a wallet-sized blue card or a digital card from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or the Volusia County Tax Collector’s Office. The blue card provides the same guidance as the envelope in a portable format.
Traffic stops can be challenging for individuals with autism. Some drivers may avoid eye contact, take longer to answer questions or struggle to follow verbal commands. Without prior knowledge, officers could interpret those behaviors as uncooperative. The blue envelope alerts officers at the beginning of a stop, prompting them to slow down, use clear language and allow additional time for responses.
DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger said early training is helping prepare officers for interactions under the new program.
“Every officer wants a traffic stop to end with everyone going home safe,” Umberger said. “This program gives our officers the information they need at the start of a traffic stop with the goal of improving communication between the officer and the driver. We started training early because we want every DeLand officer to be comfortable with accommodating the first blue envelope they encounter.”
The Blue Envelope Program originated in Connecticut in 2020 and has expanded to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Florida enacted its version into law in July, establishing a requirement for every officer in the state to complete autism training by 2030.
Department officials said more information on how local drivers can obtain program materials will be shared on social media and the Crimewatch portal closer to the launch.
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