LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In observance of Autism Awareness Month in April, award-winning author and autism advocate Emily Iland, M.A., and Joey Travolta, autism filmmaker and brother to Oscar nominee John Travolta, have co-created BE SAFE, a dynamic video-modeling curriculum to instruct teens and adults with disabilities on how to interact safely with the police.
BE SAFE serves dual purposes as a "How-To" guide for those with special needs on how to deal safely with law enforcement in different police encounters and as a training tool for police when interacting with individuals with disabilities.
Iland will showcase the training tool during Autism Awareness Month in April at the following locations:
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BE SAFE Parent Training mini-conferencia with Padres con Ninos Excepcionales
April 4 from 8:45 to 11 a.m.
Church of Jesus Christ, Iglesia De Jesucristo, Inc.
7413 Jaboneria Road, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
Presented to Spanish-speaking and bilingual parents with exceptional children. In partnership with the Autism Society of Los Angeles, funded in part by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation. Seats are limited, registration required.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Padres-con-Ninos-Excepcionales-Parents-with-Exceptional-Kids/131597636898456
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BE SAFE Interactive Screening at the Autism Society of Los Angeles's Future is Now Support Group
April 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Mychal's Learning Place
4901 W Rosecrans Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Free. For young adults and their parents, caregivers and teachers. Funded by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation
Contact: info@autismLA.org
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BE SAFE Interactive Screening with Autism Unites
April 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Building, Garden Room
4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230
For young adults and their parents, caregivers and teachers. Free.
Contact: Susan Osborne at sosborne.asis@gmail.com
Says Iland, "April is an important time to raise awareness of safety issues related to autism. We are happy to offer powerful new teaching tools that help teens and adults on the spectrum learn to be safe."
Emily Iland is available for quotes on police safety and autism awareness month upon request throughout Southern California upon request to AnnieRivera@Feltenmedia.com. BE SAFE the movie is available for sale at: https://squareup.com/market/emily-iland
ABOUT BE SAFE THE MOVIE: A video modeling tool made by and for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities, BE SAFE is an authentic, unique and relevant safety tool that can help all young adults to become more independent and safe in the community. http://www.besafethemovie.com
ABOUT EMILY ILAND, M.A.: As past President of the Autism Society Los Angeles and mother to Tom, 30, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, Iland brings personal experience and insight to her professional roles by personally training more than 4,000 officers about autism and by presenting at conferences all over the world in English and Spanish. Iland is involved at the state and local level in initiatives and policies related to Autism as a member of Darryl Steinberg's Senate Select Committee on Autism. Iland lives in Santa Clarita, Calif., with her family. http://www.emilyiland.com/