The Allentown Police Department, through the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association, has partnered with Lehigh Valley Health Network to launch the Blue Envelope Program. The program’s primary goal is to help guide communication between drivers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and police officers during motor vehicle stops.

As part of the program, drivers carry a blue envelope which identifies them as being on the autism spectrum and indicates whether they are verbal or nonverbal. The envelope includes instructions, written on the outside, for what a driver should do when they are pulled over. Inside, a document explains the program and provides contact information for someone who can offer medical information or assistance in communicating with the driver if needed.

Blue envelopes can be picked up at Allentown Police Headquarters (425 Hamilton Street, Allentown), any police department in Lehigh County, or the Lehigh Valley Physician Group Pediatric offices. The patient and family information page inside the envelope is available in English and Spanish.