Keith's Law

As a person with a disability, I admit I sometimes worry about how a first responder might initially interact with me in an emergency. Without knowing me personally and understanding all the aspects of my disability, it could be understandably confusing for EMTs or emergency staff to help me.

In this blog, we talk a lot about how some disabilities are more visible than others. I use a wheelchair every day for mobility, which is easy for others to see. But I also have a speech impairment and involuntary movements that are sometimes misunderstood. I cannot tell you how many times strangers have asked, “Are you drunk?” when I am fully aware of my surroundings and doing my best to articulate.

I wish people were more sensitive about meeting someone with a disability. Sadly, that is not always the case. That’s why I try to educate people through my advocacy whenever possible. Today, I’m excited to share about a new law that prepares first responders to care for someone with a disability and helps improve communication between them when administering emergency care.

“Keith’s Law” was signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on October 25, 2025 and went into effect last week on January 19, 2026. You can read about it here: House Bill 144 Keith’s Law - Voluntary Database for Ohioans with Disabilities Enhances Emergency Response | Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

This unique law has helped create a database for individuals with disabilities which can be accessed by emergency services crews when responding to a call. The goal is to help medical professionals on site better understand the needs of the person that they are interacting with. The database is strictly voluntary. To be added, a health professional must sign off on a form validating a person’s disability. If you ask me, this is a win-win situation.

Being added to the database will help ease my feelings about interacting with first responders, because I’ll know they can review details about my disability that are specific to me. It’s important to the disabilities community that we are seen, heard, and understood. We want others to have as much information as possible to communicate and interact positively.

I’m aware that first responders’ jobs are challenging and often dangerous, so I appreciate their willingness to use a new database tool to assist everyone in their community. I’m very proud of Ohio for taking the initiative to put this law into action. It tells me the Buckeye State values Ohioans with disabilities and is trying to make the state more accessible. I’m very appreciative of this as well. Good job OH-IO! May other states follow our lead.