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December 1998
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December 1998
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MDTAP, in cooperation with the Baltimore Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, and with the National Voting Access Project, wants to know about voting in Maryland. This year new "accessible" voting booths were used throughout Baltimore. Ironically, some of the "accessible" machines were installed in inaccessible polling places, or election officials were not properly instructed in thier use, so that they could not effectively assist voters. MD TAP will share the results of this on-line survey with you, our readers, the Mayor's Commission, the Electoral Commission and the National Voting Access Project. Just respond to the following questions as indicated, or call 1-800-834-4827 if you require assistance in completing a survey.
FROM: Courtland Townes III, Chair of the Civil Rights Subcommittee, NATIONAL COUNCIL ON INDEPENDENT LIVING There is a national effort going on to ensure that all persons with disabilities can access their polling places and vote in the same manner as other voters. In many cities and towns around the country, people with disabilities are treated like second-class citizens when it comes to voting and participating in the electoral process.
Many people show up to vote at their local polling place, only to find that the site is physically inaccessible to them. There may be steps to get in, doors that are not wide enough, or voting booths that are too small to allow for privacy. Voters who are blind or visually impaired often cannot get ballots in an accessible format that would allow them to cast their vote secretly and independently. Moreover, persons with disabilities often experience indifference by election officials when raising these access issues, and are often told to vote by absentee ballot instead. While absentee ballots are fine, they should NOT be the only choice for persons with disabilities.
Several national organizations have banded together to see whether people with disabilities really have equal access to the voting process. They have asked us to help with two tasks:
1. Disseminating the enclosed material and helping organize people with disabilities to evaluate the accessibility of the voting process in each community on election day.
2. Including a session on these and related issues affecting the electoral process at state or regional conferences. The National Council on Disability (NCD) and representatives of the National Coalition to Access Political Elections (CAPE) are interested in attending these forums to hear testimony about the experiences of persons with disabilities when trying to vote or otherwise participate in the electoral process.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND LET'S MAKE EVERY POLLING PLACE IN AMERICA ACCESSIBLE TO ALL!
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THE NATIONAL VOTER INDEPENDENCE PROJECT NEEDS YOU [graphic of Uncle Sam pointing and saying "I Want You."]
The National Voter Independence Project (NVIP) needs you to be part of a national movement to guarantee equal access to the voting process for all persons with disabilities on election day, November 3, 1998. We need you, your friends, family, colleagues and associates to take action on election day:
1. Go to your local polling place.
2. Assess whether people with disabilities are participating equally:
* Can a person with a physical disability get in to vote like everyone else?
* Can a person with a disability mark their ballot with the same privacy as all other voters?
* Can a person who is blind or visually impaired mark a ballot independently, if they choose?
3. Fill out the attached survey.
4. Send the completed survey to: Courtland Townes III, Chair, NCIL Civil Rights Committee, c/o BCIL, 95 Berkeley Street, Suite 206, Boston, MA 02116; Fax: 617/338-6661.
Help us to help everyone with disabilities change the law and the policies that treat persons with disabilities differently in the political process. This is part of a national campaign to improve access to the political process coordinated by the Coalition to Access Political Elections (CAPE).
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THE NATIONAL VOTER INDEPENDENCE PROJECT SURVEY
We ask you to go to your local polling place on Election Day, November 3, 1998, and complete the following questions:
1. Is there an "accessible path" from outside your polling place to the voting area inside the polling place? (For example, can a person who uses a wheelchair INDEPENDENTLY go from the street to the voting area without encountering barriers such as steps, significant threshold drops, or doorways that are not wide enough?)
____ There's an accessible path and no problems.
____ There's an accessible path, but it's not obvious because there is no signage.
____ The path is somewhat accessible, but may not be accessible for everyone with a disability.
____ There is no accessible path; a person using a wheelchair or scooter would have to vote outside or be carried in.
2. Is there a designated voting booth (or area) in your polling place for a person who uses a wheelchair or scooter to comfortably and privately mark his/her ballot?
____ There is a designated, private booth or area that is of sufficient size, with a writing surface at the correct height for someone using a wheelchair or scooter.
____ There is a designated booth, but it is the wrong size for a person using a wheelchair or scooter.
____ There is no designated voting booth and the usual booths are too small.
____ There is no designated voting booth and the usual booths are O.K.
3. Are there ballots available in alternative formats for persons who are blind or visually impaired?
____ Yes, they are available at the polling place on election day.
____ Yes, they are available but you have to request it in advance.
____ No, persons who are blind or visually impaired have to rely on someone else to mark their ballot for them.
4. What has been your overall experience at your local polling place?
____ I've never gone there; if I vote it is by absentee ballot.
____ I've been treated in a polite manner, just like other voters.
____ I've been treated in a condescending or discriminatory manner.
5. Have you ever had difficulty registering to vote?
If you would like to be kept informed of our progress to improve access to the political process for all persons with disabilities, please provide the following:
Name:
Address:
State and Zip Code:
E-mail:
Please feel free to attach additional sheets if you have comments or wish to share some of your voting experiences in more detail. Return your survey, as well as any comments you have, to COURTLAND TOWNES III, Chair, NCIL Civil Rights Committee, c/o BCIL, 95 Berkeley Street, Suite 206, Boston MA 02116; Fax: 617/338-6661.
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