A new state law is aiming to improve communications between first responders and people with developmental disabilities.

The law is establishing an ID card that will inform first responders of certain behaviors an individual has or may lack that could be interpreted as intentionally refusing to cooperate.

Yonkers Police Commissioners Charles Hardner says information about a person's disability is critical when responding to 911 calls. The city already created a program called the First Responders Disability Registry last spring.

Residents fill out an application providing information including their address and any special medical needs or developmental disabilities. That information is put into the city's communication database, used by 911 dispatchers.

Since the program launched, more than 70 people signed up.

The new state ID will be created by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. It is optional to obtain.