NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is now the second state law enforcement agency in the nation to train troopers to be sensory-inclusive.

Sensory-inclusion allows for businesses, stadiums, and law enforcement to identify a person with certain sensory challenges -such as autism or PTSD- and how to respond to their needs in a given situation.

THP is the first in the state and second state law enforcement agency in the nation to train staff thanks to a partnership with KultureCity, a nonprofit which specializes in sensory needs. This can include autistic people, those with PTSD, who have had a stroke, or persons with dementia among other “invisible” disabilities.

Training for troopers will include informing troopers of how common sensory needs are among the public, what to do and how to recognize someone with sensory needs, how to help individuals adapt to potentially overwhelming situations, and how to resolve the interaction in a positive way.

Troopers will also be given a sensory bag which will help in situations where there is contact with an individual with sensory needs and trained troopers will also have a decal on their vehicle.