Kari’s Law and 911 requirements were passed to ensure that 911 calls to help people in distress would not be accidentally blocked. To answer the question, what are Kari’s Law and 911 requirements, the research team at Autism Network Singapore discovered that Kari’s Law was passed in February 2018 to require businesses and organizations to provide direct access to the emergency number 911 from analog or digital systems and devices without requiring the need to dial a prefix number beforehand.
The new statutory requirements for 911 enable families, friends, and employees of autistic people to contact emergency medical personnel immediately when someone is in distress. It ensures that the right help comes when it is needed, and that there is less of a burden placed on the autistic person or people around them to request help. The requirements for 911 under Kari’s Law ensure that everyone, including those who may not know how to speak with strangers, be helped immediately in an emergency.
911 requirements also protect those who may accidental dial an emergency number. When the issue was in place previously, it did pose a bit of a risk to the autistic community and those around them. There was a risk of false alarms, blocking someone from having access to emergency services or medical attention if the initial call did not go through and could not be duplicated without dialing the call block code.
It is possible, of course, for people in an emergency to manage a phone call under distress. In the autistic community, though, the range of spectrum communication skills can present barriers. There may be difficulty in following commands or instructions from the caller on the other end. There may also be difficulty understanding time-sensitive directions. Clarity and direction, both verbally and over a phone call, is crucial in crisis situations.
This has helped to alleviate fears of discrimination in legal situations, where someone with autism could be charged with a crime even when clear communication was not established. It also protects against those who are hard of hearing, meaning that if they were to touch an emergency phone pad, the 911 requirements, mandated by Kari’s Law, would allow assistance to arrive as quickly as possible.
Understanding the law, what is required, and what is expected of a service provider on a system can be complicated. Constant changes in laws and regulations only complicate the issue further. To make sure that services are compliant, that the disabled people in the community can receive the necessary support and attention from emergency services, and to make accommodations with service providers, deeper understanding is helpful.
For these reasons, Autism Network Singapore recommends understanding the 911 requirements that stem from Kari’s Law. The preservation of emergency services for everyone in the community is priority.
Kari’s Law includes more than just 911 requirements that need to be met. Service provides must also offer interactivity, unhindered communication during emergencies, and calls that do not require the additional prefix code to be used. However, that is simply the technical side. There are also things that the autism community, and those who spend time with them, should understand.
You only have a few moments to react in any emergency, especially when it comes to using the phone to contact emergency services. Though most service providers now have a direct calling option for 911, being prepared on the receiving end is equally as important. What happens when the call is put through, and the person on the other end does not understand what is being said?
Autistic people may not understand the urgency of a situation, so they may struggle with communicating that urgency to others. Suggestions to calm down, go to sit down, or otherwise direct an autistic individual to go somewhere can often exacerbate the situation. Instead, tell the individual what to do to get help.
For instance: Once the level of stress is lowered, let medical personnel instruct what to do next. If a phone needs to be used to communicate, for instance, move the phone near (but safely out of reach) to the person. Do not try to force the phone into their hands or turn the device passive.
Not all autistic individuals are capable of talking on the phone, answering questions, or even issuing simple commands. Sometimes, the emergency call responders will request that another person speak on behalf of the individual in distress when talking directly to the autistic person on the line is not effective. How can you prepare for this situation beforehand?
Hint: yes, this exists. Many are happy to act as a middle person when an individual with autism is in distress, will have opportunities to learn specific ways to handle emergencies, and will have opportunities to ensure that emergency personnel know that the individual may struggle to talk on the phone without support.
When you receive a call, transport personnel arrive, or caregivers are able to aid the individual, take a moment to debrief afterwards. Did the situation happen quickly? Was there anything that was confusing or overwhelming? Write down notes, as thorough as possible when you’re able to do so. This way, if the situation happens again, you can better prepare yourself, those who are on the phone ahead of time, and the individuals in distress for the situation.
Kari’s Law requires that basic 911 requirements are met. At the same time, many in the autism community are also happy to provide ongoing support in other areas, including helping with the facilities of hearing. They might provide the necessary services to ensure that the MARS system, which allows for incoming emergency calls to go directly through to the intended user, can be used.
It’s helpful to keep in mind that 911 requirements are not just about complying with the law. The goal is to protect the individuals on the autism spectrum-and to ensure that everyone has access to programs that can help them in the process.