First Responders Film Screening Q&A
February 24, 2025
We recently held a virtual screening of our FRAME Film:
What First Responders Need to Know About Individuals Living with I/DD
For those of you who missed it, please find a recording of the Q&A session below.
Watch the film:
Watch the Q&A:
Comments from our audience:
“That was incredible! Such an incredibly important topic.”
Kelsey Ferrill, Disability Self Advocate
“Great work, really important resource for first responders and other helping professionals.”
Misha Marie
“I learned so much. Thank you to the filmmakers and the people who participated in it.”
Student
“The need to understand the humanity of all people is critical in breaking down barriers of care to people with developmental disabilities.”
Joanne Siegel, Principal Educator, Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
“Publicizing stories can drive legal and policy reforms, such as mandating disability-specific de-escalation training for police, EMS, and firefighters. Community members and disability rights organizations can use these encounters to advocate for better accessibility, communication tools, and IDD-inclusive emergency protocols.”
cRis marchioNNe, Founder / Executive Director of Person Centered Care Services, Inc.
“As a first responder, we encounter many different situations with i/dd, elderly. I have taken some courses, as identifying the specific individual’s situation and trying to get a person out of a fire or responding to a fire alarm in an assisted living facility. There may be a fire alarm and someone will not leave due to the loud noise or the challenges with getting someone mobile to evacuate.”
Steve Allen, First Responder
“This is a great beginning to have this inclusive in training nationally no matter the position of authority. It would bring sensitization back to the surface.”
Deidre, Mother of Elijah, who has autism
“Greetings, my name is Andrea. I am Elijah’s auntie. Thank you, 1st to the families that shared, that was very brave and helpful to speak out. All branches of responders need this training and understanding. Personally, I am very excited this will reach the World and change the narrative. Thank you to all involved.”
Andrea, Elijah’s aunt
“Our group, the NTG is working with law enforcement in Texas alongside UT Health to help educate them about these issues. This FRAME film is super and is an absolute great supplement that needs to be used and shown to all first responders across the country.”
Dr. Seth Keller, National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices
“This would be great to share with school districts and any other public agencies (ie. airports) where potentially the I/DD population is overstimulated and having an issue that THEN requires intervention / first response which having this info would help to de-escalate instead of creating a bigger issue potentially requiring more intense intervention needlessly.”
Jennifer Zola
“This is an important conversation! It is important for first responders to be trained to deescalate meltdowns and properly communicate with Individuals with IDD and autism, especially when they have limited language. Also trained to know when to defer to those around the individual for support?”
Bev Roberts
“Work at the intersection of IDD and first responders is alive and well in NJ. These resources and material have been/ are being created in collaboration with people with IDD- Great film!!!! Thanks to all those who were a part of making this important piece.”
Colleen Roche, National Disability and Disaster Hotline Director
