Florida Lawmakers Consider ID Card For Children With Disabilities
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- An ID card for people with disabilities is an idea that's making its way through the Florida House and Senate. The purpose is to alert first responders.
"He doesn't portray at first glance that he has autism," said Ronni Sommer. She's talking about her 23-year old son Matthew who has Fragile X Syndrome and Autism. She's concerned if he's ever in a precarious situation he won't be able to explain himself.
"It causes a major source of anxiety for us," Sommer explained.
She's concerned, along with other parents, about what would happen if their children's unusual behavior were perceived as dangerous by police or other authorities.
That's one of the reasons she supports a proposed state issued form of ID for people with disabilities. A bill spearheaded by Steven Lesser, a Fort Lauderdale attorney with the firm Becker & Poliakoff, whose 17-year-old son has an unspecified disability.
"By having this kind of card and presenting it to police officers, it would alert them to understand what the situation is," explained Lesser.
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Eventually the card would link to a database with information on the individuals.
Sommer's son had a mishap a few years ago. He got off at the wrong bus stop and was found alone. Fortunately his mother had written her name and number on a piece of paper in Matthew's pocket. He was found by a stranger and was okay.
"It was a very scary experience," said Sommer. "If Matthew had this ID it would have been a more assuring way to know he's okay. I think it's a wonderful idea."
Right now the bill is in Transportation committee. If it's approved it could be law by July first.
