4/7/2021 Lincoln nonprofit spreads awareness about autism Lincoln first responders and members of the nonprofit Public Safety Special Needs Coalition display autism awareness flags, which have been distributed statewide. (Breeze photo by Nicole Dotzenrod) LINCOLN – A new flag can be spotted flying across the state marking Autism Awareness Month and encouraging acceptance. The flags were created by the Lincoln-based Public Safety Special Needs Coalition, a nonprofit group formed in 2018 to encourage local police, fire, rescue and mental health professionals to provide education and resources to people with special needs and their families. Since its inception, the PSSNC has educated first responders and held a number of sensory-friendly events for the community, including the first sensory-friendly touch-a-truck event, bowling with first responders, and a drive-thru trunk-or-treat.