When motorists are driving and see police lights in the rearview mirror, it can be nerve-wracking, especially for neurodivergent drivers. And if police don't know, it can lead to misunderstandings and escalate the situation. 

That's why the New York State Sheriff's Association started the Blue Envelope Program.

"A lot of people don't realize how difficult it is to be neurodivergent in a world that's built for neurotypical people," said Morgan Starke, who is diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Starke knows firsthand how important representation is.

“I was diagnosed with OCD at, I would say, in eighth grade," she said.

That’s why she works at Bring on the Spectrum, a sensory-friendly gym for kids who are neurodiverse.

“Being someone who can be a role model, or just someone who acts like you, you know, in a position like mine where I'm able to work with other people who are like me is really important," Starke said. 

The state Sheriff’s Association has sponsored a statewide program that will help make communities safer for those who are neurodiverse when they’re out on the road. The Blue Envelope Program is beneficial if pulled over. Drivers put their insurance, registration and license in the blue envelope and hand it to the officer, and they’ll immediately know that person has special needs.

“Red lights may be a trigger to asking them to get out of the car, and touching them could be a trigger. Vehicle stops can go bad quickly, and they can escalate quickly. But this will also, you know, send a flag up to the officer that, OK, this person has some special needs in the car. Let's handle this a little bit more diligently," Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said.

Starke said programs like this make it a safer and more inclusive world for people who are different.

“Neurotypical people don't tend to include neurodiverse people in their scope of what's normal. Something as simple as a blue envelope will be life changing for so many people," Starke said.