In Pocatello, the tragic shooting of Victor Perez, a 17-year-old with autism and cerebral palsy, shook our community to its core. Victor was shot nine times by police outside his own home after neighbors misinterpreted his physical movements due to his disabilities, which they mistakenly perceived as a threat. This incident, rooted in a lack of awareness and understanding, fueled widespread protests and an urgent call for change.

Autism awareness is not just a matter of compassion; it's a matter of life and death. We must ensure that law enforcement and emergency responders are equipped with the knowledge and resources to handle situations involving individuals with autism appropriately. This is why we are advocating for Xavier’s Law, a piece of legislation that will establish a registrar for homes with autistic residents, providing first responders the critical information they need before arriving at a scene.

Xavier's Law aims to enhance safety and understanding by ensuring that responders resort to their autism awareness training when approaching situations involving autistic individuals. This law makes autism awareness training a priority, not an option, by mandating its inclusion in regular training programs for police and EMTs. This will help prevent misunderstandings and potentially violent encounters, by preparing our responders to act with empathy and informed judgment.

Implementing Xavier's Law can save lives by reducing the risk of tragic incidents like what happened to Victor Perez. It supports our autistic community by fostering a more informed and considerate approach from those sworn to protect and serve. Let’s not wait for another tragedy to happen before we take action.

Support Xavier’s Law to ensure every autistic individual receives the respect and understanding they deserve, and to create safer interactions with law enforcement and emergency personnel. It’s not just about making our communities more inclusive; it’s about protecting the lives of our loved ones.

Sign this petition to urge our legislators to pass Xavier’s Law and make autism awareness training mandatory for all first responders. Together, we can make a difference and protect our most vulnerable citizens.