10-30-08
AOTA Member Uncovers Accessibility Issues at the Polls
Six years after Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which addressed many voter issues, including clearing physical hurdles for voters who need walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance, a study of accessibility at polling places in one Ohio county found that voters with disabilities may still be unable to get to the ballot box.
Dennis S. Cleary, MS, OTR/L, academic field coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Division at The Ohio State University (OSU), led a group of occupational therapy students in conducting what is believed to be the nation’s first comprehensive study of voter accessibility. In a partnership with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, the Franklin County Board of Elections, and the Ohio Legal Rights Service, physical accessibility was evaluated for parking and drop-off areas, entrances, hallways, ramps, elevators, and the voting and registration areas.
After looking at 217 of the 533 polling places in Franklin County, Ohio, the students found that only 10% were fully accessible.
According to the OSU research, areas of noncompliance included the following:
- 34% of polling sites do not have signs indicating the nearest accessible entrance.
- 25% do not have an adequate number of accessible parking spaces.
- 23% do not have accessible parking spaces nearest the entrance.
- 22% do not have an entrance that is fully accessible.
There are approximately 18 million Americans with mobility difficulty who might be affected by inaccessible voting locations. Attorneys general in many states and the Department of Justice have been working with local boards of election to increase voter access to polling locations. Currently, voters with disabilities are left with the option of voting by absentee ballot, which contradicts the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the HAVA legislation.
“Like all civil rights legislation, the core purpose of the ADA is equal participation in society. While absentee ballots may preserve your rights, nothing says more about your status as a citizen than being able to cast your vote at the polls on Election Day,” said L. Scott Lissner, ADA coordinator at OSU.
Laurel Cargill Radley, MS, OTR, AOTA associate director of professional affairs, agreed, emphasizing the need for accessibility at all times, and especially on Election Day. “Occupational therapy practitioners can, and should, help their own communities be more accessible to those living with disabilities, especially at polling stations, by educating their own clients and advocating for their needs.”
Cleary offered the following Election Day tips for voters with disabilities:
- Call ahead and speak with a representative from the polling site where you will vote—ask basic questions about parking or the most accessible entrance.
- Consider voting outside of peak voting times, especially if you have difficulty standing for long periods.
- Consider taking a friend along to assist with any access issues and help you advocate for your rights.