Emergency or E Cards

Emergency Cards or E Cards were developed for People with Learning Disabilities who might come in to contact with or require police assistance. The cards alert the police to the fact they may have communication difficulties and give details about how best to deal with their communication needs.

The card has been successfully used by Lancashire and Greater Manchester Police which has raised awareness of learning disabilities within the forces; creating better understanding resulting in more effective interventions. Other positive outcomes have included the involvement of other organisations and some businesses to help promote the card by raising awareness and also providing places where people can get help.

A lot of interest has been generated by the card as it can potentially be used by other people who may also have communications difficulties, this could be due to illness, other disabilities and people who do not have English as their first language. Work is under way in Liverpool with several partner organisations to see how best the card can be used. People First Merseyside, Merseyside Police and Liverpool Learning Disability Partnership are working with Mersey Travel, Travel Safe (British Transport Police) and City Safe to promote the card on transport services. It is hoped future work will involve medical services, accommodation providers, education and sports and leisure facilities amongst others.

For more information about the card or to get involved in the project please contact Karen Bellion (People First) karenb@peoplefirst.uk.com , John Scott (Hate Crime Unit) John.W.Scott/E@Merseyside.pnn.police.uk  or Jennie Man (Liverpool Learning Disabilities Partnership) Jennie.Man@liverpoolpct.nhs.uk  

An example of how the E Card looks: