Law enforcement officers frequently encounter individuals with disabilities in various situations, from routine stops to high-stress emergency responses. Understanding how to interact appropriately with disabled individuals isn't just a matter of public safety—it’s a legal, ethical, and community trust issue. A lack of awareness or training can turn a simple encounter into an unnecessary crisis, leading to escalation, legal consequences, and damage to police-community relations.

• Tucson, Arizona – A Fatal Use of Force on a Suspect in a Motorized Wheelchair
  In November 2021, Richard Lee Richards, a 61-year-old man with a mobility disability, was suspected of shoplifting and brandishing a knife. When the off-duty officer confronted him in the parking lot, Richards ignored the officer and rolled away in his motorized wheelchair toward another store entrance, where an innocent civilian was exiting. The officer, concerned for the woman’s safety, shot Richards, killing him on the spot. The case sparked national controversy and led to manslaughter charges. Are your officers trained to handle situations like this without resorting to lethal force?
  

• Disability Response Training™ ensures that officers are prepared to navigate these interactions with professionalism, empathy, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This training focuses specifically on physical disabilities, providing officers with the knowledge and tools to engage safely and effectively—without relying on generalized, non-specific or behavioral health content.

Why Disability Response Training™ Is Essential

The statistics are staggering: More than 61 million Americans—or roughly 1 in 4 adults—live with a disability. That means officers are highly likely to interact with disabled individuals in the field. Studies show that disabled individuals are 2.5 times more likely to experience police use of force than those without disabilities. While that number likely includes individuals with cognitive or behavioral disabilities, it nonetheless underscores the critical need for focused, specialized training.

• Phoenix, Arizona – The Fatal Encounter with a Double Amputee
  In August 1994, Edward Mallet, a 25-year-old double amputee, died after a Phoenix police officer applied a carotid-artery neck hold during a stop. The public outcry led to a $5.3 million settlement and a department-wide reassessment of use-of-force policies.
  

• St. Petersburg, Florida – A Taser Incident Involving a Wheelchair-Bound Individual
  In June 2021, Officer Matthew Cavinder tased Timothy Grant, a 64-year-old man in a wheelchair, four times during an arrest for trespassing. Despite minimal resistance, the officer was later terminated for policy violations—underscoring the urgent need for disability-specific training.
  

• Wyandanch, New York – Alleged Excessive Force Against an Amputee
  In August 2021, Waverly Lucas, a man with a prosthetic leg, was stopped by Suffolk County officers for public urination. He denied the claim, yet was allegedly placed in a chokehold, had his prosthetic forcibly removed, and was left injured and in pain. A $50 million lawsuit followed, raising major questions about officer readiness in these encounters.

Disability Response Training™ addresses what most mandatory programs do not: how to interact with physically disabled suspects, how to manage mobility devices, and how to avoid escalation while maintaining officer safety and control of the scene.

Recognizing and Responding to Different Types of Disabilities

Disabilities affect individuals in different ways, and officers must be prepared to adjust their approach accordingly. While Disability Response Training™ focuses on physical impairments, it’s helpful to understand the broader context of disability categories that officers may encounter.

Physical Disabilities

People with mobility impairments may use wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, or assistive devices like crutches. Officers should avoid forcibly removing individuals from their wheelchairs unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons. Simple considerations, such as speaking to a wheelchair user by standing directly in front of them, rather than at an angle or towering above, can make interactions more respectful and effective. This adjustment reduces strain on the neck and supports clearer communication without appearing condescending.

• Dayton, Ohio – A Routine Stop Turned Career-Ending Controversy
  In 2021, paraplegic motorist Clifford Owensby was pulled over by Dayton police. Despite informing officers that he could not get out of the vehicle, they forcibly dragged him out by his arms. The bodycam footage went viral, sparking public outrage and an internal investigation. The incident, though not malicious in intent, revealed a serious gap in training—and turned a standard stop into a national headline.
  

• Fairfield, California – A Disturbing Encounter with a Paralyzed Driver
  In 2018, Jacob Bonczyk, paralyzed from the chest down, was forcibly removed from his vehicle and tased—despite both his and a passenger’s clear communication of his condition. His wheelchair was visible in the backseat, yet officers still escalated the situation. Charges were later dropped, and Bonczyk filed suit against the department.
  

• Ingham County, Michigan – Off-Duty Deputy Allegedly Assaults Paraplegic Driver
  In August 2022, off-duty deputy Marcelo Aranda confronted paraplegic Tyler Lueken after a road rage incident. Aranda allegedly pulled Lueken from his vehicle and repeatedly punched him. He was later fired and charged with assault. This incident again illustrates the urgent need for physical disability-specific training—even for off-duty personnel.
  

• Miami-Dade County, Florida – Quadriplegic Recording Artist Faces Charges After Incident with Officer
  In 2024, Bryant Amastha, a quadriplegic man known as El Valien-T, allegedly struck an officer with his motorized wheelchair and spit during a domestic call response. Bodycam footage shows Amastha taunting the officer. This incident demonstrates the complex challenges officers may face when dealing with suspects who are both significantly disabled and combative—highlighting the critical importance of scenario-based DRT training.

Sensory Disabilities

Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and visually impaired individuals face unique communication barriers. Officers should not assume non-responsiveness is defiance. Instead, they should use visual cues, written communication, or technology like speech-to-text apps to bridge the gap. Carrying laminated cards with common phrases in large print or sign language illustrations can also be helpful in the field.

• San Marcos, Texas – A Communication Breakdown Leading to Excessive Force
  In May 2019, officers encountered John Kelley, a deaf man walking alongside a highway. Despite his attempts to communicate his deafness, officers shouted verbal commands, deployed tasers multiple times, and kicked him—resulting in injury and hospitalization. A federal lawsuit followed, alleging ADA and civil rights violations.
  

• Columbia County, Florida – Blind Man’s Cane Mistaken for a Weapon
  In 2022, deputies arrested James Hodges, a legally blind man, after mistaking his folded white cane for a firearm. Even after he identified it, officers detained him for “resisting without violence.” The incident—caught on bodycam—sparked internal investigations and public backlash.
  

• Phoenix, Arizona – Deaf Man with Cerebral Palsy Subjected to Force
  In August 2024, officers encountered Tyron McAlpin, a deaf man with cerebral palsy, during a routine call. Unable to hear commands, McAlpin was taken to the ground, punched, and tased. The incident led to a federal lawsuit and renewed calls for improved disability response training.

Disability Response Training™ briefly introduces sensory impairments—such as blindness or deafness—not as core content, but to help officers recognize when communication or compliance issues may be related to a lack of sensory input, not willful defiance.

Cognitive and Mental Health Disabilities

Individuals with autism, Down syndrome, or other intellectual disabilities may struggle to process commands quickly or may exhibit behaviors that officers misinterpret as suspicious. Officers should use clear, simple language and allow extra time for responses. Sudden movements, loud noises, or bright flashing lights can be overwhelming and escalate the situation unnecessarily.

• Glendale, Arizona – Excessive Force During a Welfare Check
  In June 2019, Officer Joshua Carroll encountered David Dulaney, a man with both physical and mental disabilities. Despite Dulaney’s compliance, Carroll used a taser multiple times and struck him in the head, causing severe injuries. Carroll later resigned, and the case prompted public scrutiny.
  

• Albuquerque, New Mexico – Misunderstanding Leads to Violent Arrest of Mentally Disabled Shopper
  In 2022, developmentally disabled Matthew McManus was arrested after struggling with a self-checkout at a Target. Officer Kenneth Skeens assumed shoplifting and physically removed McManus, who had sufficient funds and no intent to steal. Skeens was later fired and charged.
  

• Cleveland, Ohio – Down Syndrome Teen Mistaken for Robbery Suspect
  In 2010, 16-year-old Juan Ortiz was tackled and burned during a violent arrest after officers mistook him for a robbery suspect. Ortiz, who has Down syndrome, was under 5 feet tall and weighed 118 pounds—vastly different from the suspect’s description. The city later paid $250,000 to settle the excessive force claim.
  

• Graham, Texas – 19-Year-Old with Autism Tased During Misunderstood Encounter
  Michael Moore was throwing rocks in a neighbor’s yard when officers were called. Though he showed signs of autism, officers misinterpreted his behavior as intoxication. When he became distressed, officers tased him—highlighting the dangers of misreading developmental behaviors as threats.

While these types of disabilities are not covered in Disability Response Training™, they are acknowledged as part of the larger landscape of disability that officers encounter. Most agencies already offer—or are required to offer—separate training on these topics. DRT’s mission is not to duplicate those efforts, but to fill a gap: preparing officers specifically for physical disability-related situations.

Essential Components of Effective Training

A strong Disability Response Training™ program must go beyond theory. It teaches officers how to read the scene, the person, and the mobility device—all while maintaining safety, command presence, and ADA compliance.

Awareness and Sensitivity – Officers learn how physical impairments affect movement and compliance, and how to avoid assumptions that lead to escalation.

Dallas, Texas – Officers Mock Disabled Veteran After Denying Restroom Access
In June 2023, disabled Army veteran Dynell Lane was denied restroom access at a restaurant—even after presenting medical documentation. After soiling himself, officers responded to his 911 call but were caught on bodycam laughing about his condition. This incident led to disciplinary action and public outrage. DRT teaches officers how to avoid this kind of deeply damaging misstep.

Communication Strategies – Verbal and non-verbal techniques to support respectful interaction and command presence, especially in stressful situations.

Officers learn how to deliver clear, respectful instructions and interpret non-standard responses from physically disabled individuals who may have speech limitations or rely on assistive devices.

De-escalation Tactics – Officers learn to read behavior, control their own posture and tone, and use calm, non-threatening methods to reduce tension—especially during arrest or search procedures.

Unlike traditional “verbal judo” or generalized conflict resolution training, Disability Response Training™ teaches de-escalation through the lens of physical limitations, environmental cues, and adaptive behavior patterns. Officers learn how to manage high-tension encounters by adjusting their language, tone, distance, and movement—not just their words.

Some of the de-escalation strategies taught in DRT include:

• Command Presence Without Threat Posture
  Officers are trained to present themselves confidently without looming, hovering, or reaching abruptly around assistive devices. This reduces perceived threat while maintaining control.
  

• Modified Command Techniques
  Instead of issuing rapid, complex commands, officers are taught to simplify instructions—offering one direction at a time, allowing for delay in response, and verifying comprehension.
  

• Mobility Device Awareness
  Officers learn to observe whether a subject's resistance is genuine or simply due to mobility limitations. If someone isn’t complying, the question becomes: “Can they?” not just “Will they?”
  

• Control Through Distance and Positioning
  Physical positioning is used as a proactive tactic to create calm. Officers are taught how to face wheelchair users head-on without encroaching on personal space—while also maintaining tactical safety.
  

• Tactical Pausing
  Officers are encouraged to slow the encounter down when possible. This pause allows for observation, processing, and recalibration before choosing a control tactic or escalation.
  

• Environmental Adaptation
  Training includes how to assess surroundings (e.g., narrow hallways, uneven surfaces, crowded lobbies) that can increase confusion or danger when interacting with disabled individuals.
  

• Supportive Reinforcement
  Officers are shown how to deliver firm but respectful statements that acknowledge disability while reinforcing the need for compliance:
  “I understand you're using a mobility device. I’m going to explain exactly what I need from you so we can do this safely.”

These techniques are paired with scenario-based drills, giving officers the confidence to respond under pressure without defaulting to force or indecision.

Scenario-Based Learning

Scenario-Based Learning is one of the most important components of Disability Response Training™. Officers don’t just sit through a lecture—they engage with real-world scenarios and hands-on simulations that mirror what they’ll face in the field.

Training includes how to:

• Control and handcuff a physically disabled suspect (PDS) using appropriate leverage and technique
  

• Safely lift and search both the PDS and their mobility device
  

• Disassemble and reassemble wheelchairs and other assistive devices during transport or arrest situations
  

• Experience, as closely as time allows, the physical limitations and mobility challenges of a disabled person

These immersive scenarios prepare officers to act with precision, awareness, and restraint when force must be both proportional and procedurally correct.

Legal Responsibilities 

Officers review relevant laws and governing bodies that shape how law enforcement must interact with individuals with disabilities.

Officers review ADA, Section 504, and relevant DOJ/IACP guidance to understand where their department—and their badge—is at risk.

The Impact of Disability Response Training™

Departments that have participated in Disability Response Training™ report increased officer awareness, stronger confidence in arrest/search scenarios involving physically disabled suspects, and a greater ability to avoid procedural missteps that lead to complaints or escalation. While DRT is still a growing solution, early adopters are already recognizing its field impact.

Unlike generalized programs that cover broad disability topics, DRT is focused, actionable, and field-tested. Its priority is officer safety—by preparing officers to anticipate challenges, understand movement limitations, and prevent injuries during arrest, search, and transport scenarios.

For example, officers from Tucson PD, who have gone through DRT sessions, have reported applying what they learned during real arrests. In one instance, an officer was able to disassemble and transport a suspect’s wheelchair without damaging it—simply because their partner had attended DRT and knew how to break it down. Other officers have shared that they now conduct more thorough and confident searches when mobility devices are involved, citing a greater sense of clarity about legal boundaries and physical technique.

Legal Considerations: Officers’ Responsibilities Under the ADA

Understanding legal requirements is critical. Missteps involving physically disabled individuals have resulted in lawsuits, terminations, and widespread media backlash. Officers must be trained to avoid these outcomes while maintaining control of the scene.

• Pinellas County, FL – Excessive Force on Wheelchair-Bound Inmate
  In 2018, Deputy Aaron Hull was terminated after assaulting an inmate in a wheelchair who had verbally challenged him. Bodycam footage showed Hull repeatedly poking the inmate’s head and striking him—violating use-of-force policy and ADA protections.
  

• Detroit, MI – Disabled Motorist Slammed to the Ground
  In 2017, Jason Spicer—a disabled man using a cane—was forcibly removed from his vehicle by troopers. Dashcam footage shows Spicer being slammed to the pavement and mocked for his condition. The case led to internal investigation and a public reckoning for the department.
  

• Brookings, OR – Low-Speed Pursuit of Disabled Woman on Scooter Ends in Arrest
  In 2018, police pursued Jennifer Gayman, a disabled woman using a mobility scooter, for riding on a sidewalk without a helmet. The slow chase ended in her garage, where she was arrested. A court later overturned her conviction, and she received a $300K settlement.
  

• Toronto, Canada – Officers Mock Woman with Down Syndrome During Traffic Stop
  In 2016, Toronto officers were caught on dashcam mocking 29-year-old Francie Munoz, calling her a “half person.” The public outrage was swift and severe—resulting in disciplinary action and renewed demands for disability-focused training.

Relevant legal frameworks include:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Requires officers to adjust procedures when interacting with individuals with disabilities, particularly during arrest, transport, or detention.

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – Prohibits discrimination by any agency receiving federal funds.

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) – Monitors compliance with civil rights law and investigates ADA violations in law enforcement.

• The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) – Provides additional policy and procedural guidance for departments nationwide.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Disability Response Training™

While some agencies are exploring technology such as body-worn camera captioning or VR simulation, Disability Response Training™ is currently a hands-on, analog program designed for maximum accessibility and practical impact.

The current training includes in-person instruction and planned video-based modules. These are designed for realistic application—not speculative tech integration. While emerging tools may play a role in the future, DRT’s value today is in preparing officers with usable, proven strategies that work in the field.

And while disability advocacy groups serve an important public role, Disability Response Training™ is not an advocacy organization. DRT positions itself as the intermediary—a bridge between the concerns of the disabled community and the operational realities of law enforcement. The goal is to support officers, protect physically disabled suspects, and give departments the tools they need—without overloading already stretched personnel or requiring unnecessary complexity. Disability Response Training™ delivers practical, field-ready strategies that fill the critical gap in law enforcement training for interactions involving physical impairments.

Make Disability Response Training™ a Priority

There’s a clear training gap in law enforcement—and it puts your officers at risk. The next encounter with a physically disabled suspect could be your department’s next headline. Most agencies are simply not equipped to handle these situations with the control, clarity, and procedural compliance they demand.

Disability Response Training™ fills that gap.

We don’t teach theory. We teach officers:

• How to recognize the signs of a physical disability

• How to interact with mobility devices respectfully and legally

• How to arrest and transport disabled suspects with proportional force

• How to protect themselves—and protect their department—from costly litigation and community backlash

If you're a department leader, Field Training Officer (FTO), or academy director, this is the moment to act.

Ask yourself:

• Can they confidently use force that is necessary, defensible, and compliant with ADA standards?

• Do they know what physical resistance looks like in someone with limited mobility?

• Would your officers know how to break down a wheelchair for transport?

If you hesitate to answer with a confident yes, then your department needs Disability Response Training™ —and your officers deserve it.