07/29/2026
🚨 Help First Responders Better Understand Your Needs
Ohio’s House Bill 144, also known as Keith’s Law, created a voluntary statewide database to help first responders identify and better communicate with individuals who have disabilities.
Learn more and access the Disability Verification Form through [Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities](https://ood.ohio.gov/laws-rules-and-policies/laws/hb144).
Adults with a diagnosed disability, or the parent or guardian of a minor or ward with a disability, may voluntarily submit information for inclusion in the database. This can help law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and 9-1-1 dispatchers better prepare for an interaction and respond with greater understanding and care.
The database may include individuals with intellectual, hearing, speech, visual, orthopedic, learning, mental health, or other qualifying disabilities, including autism and traumatic brain injury.
Important information:
• Participation is completely voluntary and free.
• Information in the database is not a public record.
• A qualified healthcare provider must verify the disability.
• Information can be linked to vehicles the individual owns, operates, or regularly occupies.
• Participants may request removal from the database at any time.
• Please allow approximately 15 business days for processing.
Taking this step before an emergency can give first responders valuable information to help create safer, more informed interactions for everyone.
Ohio's communication disability database informs police officers when someone involved in a traffic stop has a communication disability.