Post on 20-Jan-2016
description
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Common, Easy to Fix Barriers to
Disability Access
• Barriers to access can often be remedied at little or no cost
• Many counties have developed creative solutions to barriers
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DRW 2010 Election Accessibility Survey
• 2010 Primary Election Early Voting Period
• 21 Counties surveyed
• Plan to survey remaining counties during General Election Early Voting Period
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Recommendations
• Notice of Election
• Accessible Parking
• Signage
• Route of Travel
• Doors
• Voter Information Postings
• Outreach
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Notice of Election
• Notify voters that an election is being conducted during the 20 days prior to “Election Day”
• Use website, mailings, voice message, and election staff to inform voters
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Notice of ElectionWebsite
– Post notice of election on website throughout early voting period
– State dates, hours, location where the AVUs are available
– Post on opening screen of website (don’t bury information related to early voting – esp. during the 20 days while it is available)
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Notice of Election
Information in mailed ballot regarding AVUs and in-person early voting
– Simple wording
– Large print
– Provide time and location of AVUs
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Notice of Election
Voice message– During each day of early voting, state that in-
person accessible voting is available– State times available and location– Refer to another extension for more
information – Refer to website for more information
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Notice of Election
Election Staff
– Ensure all staff know it is an early voting election day
– Make sure staff are available to assist voter with AVU
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Accessible Parking
Clear signage and bold paint job indicating accessible parking
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Accessible Parking
• Check signage
• Monitor availability of parking
• Signage indicating availability of voting
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Signage
“Vote Here” and accessible parking signage indicating both accessible parking spot and accessible voting center
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Signage
• Temporary signs during election day
• Signs at parking, entrance, and route indicating path to AVU location
• Don’t block access with sign!
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Announcing Election Day – during early voting period
Putting out large, bold-colored “vote here” signs during the early voting period will help inform voters of the availability of early voting
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Signage for pathway
• Info on accessible voting in Spanish & English
• Sign indicates AVU is available
• Signage during early voting period
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Clearly mark the path to vote
Signs with large font in bold colors and arrows pointing toward the elections centers provide easy to understand directions for voters
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Route of Travel
• Watch out for seasonal changes in accessibility (plant growth, fallen leaves, wet/icy spots)
• Monitor for tools, construction materials left by workers
• Office supply boxes, dumpsters, anything that can move can block access!
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Route of Travel
• Obstacles:– Loose rug someone
could trip over– Plant overgrowth
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Ashtray narrows pathway
Ashtray in the accessible route makes the pathway too narrow for a person in a wheelchair to get passed
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Hallway obstructions• Placing an object on the
floor beneath the protrusion will make the obstruction apparent to a person using a cane
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Voter Information Postings
• Complaint process must be visible
• Tables can obstruct access• Signage must be visible from
wheelchair • Large print
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Voter Information Postings
• Monitor postings at
all election sites
•Voting poster on top of the piano may not be visible to a person using a wheelchair
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Doors
• Heavy doors can be
a barrier to access
for some
• Lowering the
resistance on doors
helps make them
more accessible
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Outreach
• Consider accessibility at candidate forums
• Bring AVUs to voters
• Provide opportunities to use AVUs at public events