Sterling Heights expands special‑needs registry and adaptive recreation offerings
April 22, 2026 | Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan
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The Sterling Heights council heard two linked presentations on services for people with disabilities and the city’s work to make events and public spaces more accessible.
Lieutenant Craig Cole described the SAVES project (Special needs, Autism, Vulnerable persons, Elderly, Safety): a regional nonprofit‑backed registry that allows families to enter emergency contacts and receive a set of QR codes and a ‘blue envelope’ to help first responders identify vulnerable people and access critical contact information quickly. Cole said the city’s special‑needs registry currently includes about 59 families and that the department’s new co‑response unit has been reaching out to families and entering records into the system.
Cole said the QR codes are scannable by anyone, but they do not reveal personal information beyond emergency contacts. “With these QR codes, they can place those on their child’s ... jacket, on a bag. And what this allows us to do is recognize that they're part of the SAVES project. We can QR scan this, and it will give us their emergency contacts,” Cole said.
Following the police presentation, Becca (Rebecca) Lynn, the city’s adaptive recreation supervisor, summarized Parks & Recreation initiatives: sensory spaces used at large events, sensory‑friendly skate sessions at Dodge Park Ice Rink, planned sensory‑friendly splash‑pad mornings, water‑safe wheelchairs and all‑terrain chairs for trails, and the city’s work with Play Place for Autism to raise funds through recycling at events. Lynn said Sterling Heights is the only city in Macomb County to employ staff with National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification and described program participation across the region.
Council members praised the outreach and suggested additional registration events at MISD schools and the new Irving school for special‑needs students. No formal action was required; council thanked presenters and encouraged continued outreach and interjurisdictional coordination.
Lieutenant Craig Cole described the SAVES project (Special needs, Autism, Vulnerable persons, Elderly, Safety): a regional nonprofit‑backed registry that allows families to enter emergency contacts and receive a set of QR codes and a ‘blue envelope’ to help first responders identify vulnerable people and access critical contact information quickly. Cole said the city’s special‑needs registry currently includes about 59 families and that the department’s new co‑response unit has been reaching out to families and entering records into the system.
Cole said the QR codes are scannable by anyone, but they do not reveal personal information beyond emergency contacts. “With these QR codes, they can place those on their child’s ... jacket, on a bag. And what this allows us to do is recognize that they're part of the SAVES project. We can QR scan this, and it will give us their emergency contacts,” Cole said.
Following the police presentation, Becca (Rebecca) Lynn, the city’s adaptive recreation supervisor, summarized Parks & Recreation initiatives: sensory spaces used at large events, sensory‑friendly skate sessions at Dodge Park Ice Rink, planned sensory‑friendly splash‑pad mornings, water‑safe wheelchairs and all‑terrain chairs for trails, and the city’s work with Play Place for Autism to raise funds through recycling at events. Lynn said Sterling Heights is the only city in Macomb County to employ staff with National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification and described program participation across the region.
Council members praised the outreach and suggested additional registration events at MISD schools and the new Irving school for special‑needs students. No formal action was required; council thanked presenters and encouraged continued outreach and interjurisdictional coordination.
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