Mom, sheriff get state to add special disability designation on driver’s licenses
Originally posted on Fox13 Tampa Bay
By Jennifer Holton
VALRICO, Fla. – Like any parent, Caryn Readdy was a little nervous when her son Dalton wanted to get his driver’s license. Beyond the typical ‘new driver’ concerns was the fact that her son has autism.
In the process, I was wondering, if he ever got pulled over by law enforcement or was in an accident and had to go to the hospital, how would they know if he had a disability if he was unconscious?” she said.
At the time, all Readdy could find was that the DMV offered an identification card for people with disabilities – but she wondered if something could be put directly on your license.
“I contacted different representatives, different state groups, AUTISM SPEAKS,” she said. But nobody responded.”
It wasn’t until she contacted Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd; he personally contacted state legislators and got the ball rolling. With the help of Florida state representatives Josie Tomkow and Michael Gottlieb, Readdy’s dream was turned into a bill in Tallahassee.
Last September, it was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
“To me it was an easy fix and it was so needed because there are so many young adults out there with autism or any type of disability,” Readdy continued.
If you or anyone you know would like to fill out this form to make the change on your license, click here.
