From AAPD, WASHINGTON, DC - June 11, 2009 - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an interim report on voting accessibility Wednesday comparing last year's presidential election to the 2000 election and the good news, according to Dickson, is there has been progress. The bad news, he said, is we have a long way to go and for voters who use wheelchairs, the nation still gets a failing grade for polling place accessibility.
In the 2000 election, only 16 percent of polling places were accessible to wheelchair users, according to the GAO report. In 2008, 27 percent of polling places were accessible.
Numbers released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office this week show people with disabilities had fewer impediments at polling places during the 2008 presidential election, but not all people with disabilities are able to access polls and vote privately and independently. The GAO will release a more detailed final report on the Election Day polling place accessibility findings in September. To read the initial report in its entirety, visit http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-685.
21 comments:
I'm astonished at how antiquated the voting system is in this country. It is even more inexcusable how people with disabilities are being segregated at the polls. In a country that prides itself in democracy and equality for all, the basic rights are being withheld. I think anyone how has ever voted believes it is a private moment and to imagine that your right to that privacy is taken away because you have a disability is just plain wrong. It is an outrage how nothing on a more massive scale has been done to alleviate this problem. Politicians advocate for rehabilitation for the troops or better health care, but when it comes to helping them engage in a fundamental right such as voting they seem to be falling short.
Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6300
I don't think I'd go as far as to say that I'm "astonished" at our voting system, but I do know that it is in desperate need of an "overhaul." In the 2000 election there were so many difficulties due to the punch-out ballots, and many seem to think we ended up with the short end of the stick on that issue, that I was sure thing would have been different for the next election. Nope, I was wrong! Now I come to find out that in the same election (2000) only 16% of the polling places had wheelchair accessibility? Did they feel that people who require the use of a mobility device to ambulate did not need to get a chance to express their right to vote as guaranteed by the Voting Rights Amendment to the US Constitution? Do they not see that this as an accurate representation of our inalienable right to “the pursuit of happiness?” When we are able to exercise our right to vote, we directly have our hand in what’s to come, thereby pursuing having a politician who has the same or similar views as we do in office, thus making us rest a little better at night, and yes, maybe even happier. Also, what if there is a bill that is directly related to persons with disabilities? Would it not be important for everyone to get their chance to vote? Yes, although there are the absentee ballots that are made available for individuals who have difficulties getting in and out of polling places, however, the necessary accommodations should be in place, in expectancy, that EVERYONE who is entitled to cast a vote does so, and in the most convenient way as possible. Shouldn’t it be the choice of a person with any sort of disability to decide whether they would like to exercise their right to vote, in person, rather than not at all, or by mail?
Elizabeth C.P. (6300)
It makes me angry to know that even people with disabilities have a hard time being loyal citizens with respect to voting accessibility. Individuals are big to talk regarding voting and actually making a difference, but how can we make a difference if we are unable to vote because of an inconvenience that is not under our control? Also, if our country would like more unity they need to assist individuals with disabilities by making voting polls more accessible to them, thus making an impact on the votes. Also, I think it is cruel enough that a person with a disability cannot have their private time to vote such as all other Americans. They too pay taxes and work hard for what they have, it's time that they get the assistance they need to vote and feel equality at the polls!
Amy G.
The right to vote is being taken away from people with certain disabilities that find polling places inaccessible. Are those individuals votes not important? Do they not count? I agree with Maggie when she states that basic rights are being withheld when individuals with disabilities can't access voting polls. Yes, voting by mail is always an option, but what about those people that have a disability that make an effort to go to a voting poll and find it inaccessible. If they cared enough to make an effort to go vote at an election poll, then why not make it accessible to them. They are citizens just like the rest of us that have every right to vote at the place they choose to vote.
If there is one thing my father taught me it is that we all have the right to vote. He made it very clear just how important voting is and to find out just how unfair it is for people with disabilities to vote is an outrage. You would think that politician, especially those who advocate for people with disabilities, would do more to make sure that people with disabilities can vote. What I find a little strange is that, at least here in the Valley, most of the polling places take place in school cafeterias or city halls, why wouldn't these places be accessible in first places? Most of these places should already be accessible for people with disabilities. You would think that the government would try and find a polling place that is accessible for everyone. The other issue is privacy; I feel that voting is a very personal matter. I understand that there are people that can help you, but just as there have been problems with elderly voters feeling pressured to vote a certain way, this could be the case with people with disabilities. Finally, you would think that with all this technology s we could have figured out how to help people with disabilities reach the levers to vote. They could even use some type of low-tech device like a ramp that would allow people in wheelchairs to reach and see the ballots.
Noemi (Amy) Rodriguez
REHS 6300
Voting is such a privilege, and to read that people with disabilities are having a hard time with one of their rights is a shame. What about the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984? It "requires all polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections, and requires states to make available registration and voting aids for disabled and elderly voters." This is law, and according to the GAO report it seems that it is being broken. I hope that by the next presidential election the polling places will have fixed the problem and abide by the government's laws.
Vanessa C. (6300)
Although there was an improvement from 16% to 27% for wheelchair users from 2000 to 2008 those are still horrific numbers for our times. Voting is not something done every day to make sure the improvements are being made, but there are laws set in place to make sure that people can have accessibility during elections. So, I wondered how Texas is with people with disabilities during elections…
On VoteTexas.org there is a section for those with “special needs.” It states that “Texas has led the nation with its efforts to increase ballot accessibility for all voters, including elderly voters, voters with disabilities, and voters who do not read or speak English or Spanish.” It continues to affirm that they are committed to help people with limited reach, strength, manual dexterity, who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, and those with learning and physical disabilities. You can also ask for help by officials OR bring someone to assist you. If you are unable to get out of your vehicle there is also curb side assistance. Sounds good for larger urban areas…but in rural areas where the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) device may not be available.
I know what people might say…well why don’t they just use the absentee voting…my answer EVERYONE is entitled to accessibility to ALL at ANYTIME.
What can be American than our right to vote for the President of the United States or for that matter, any election? I can’t believe that on 16 percent of polling places were accessible to wheelchair users back in 2000 and eight years later that has only increased about 10% to a very low 27% accessibility. The privacy of persons with disabilities is being invaded because they need someone else to vote for them because they cannot get in the polling booth. If a restaurant does not have a restroom that is accessible to persons with a handicap, then they can be fined. The restaurant owner is responsible clearly in that case. Who is responsible for the polling places? Why are they not being fined? It is the federal government and the message they are sending is that it is okay for persons with disabilities to have to go through the awkwardness of having to tell someone who they vote for simply because they can’t get in the polling booth. How can they get away with this? I went on to see initial report and found that Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which required polling places to have at least one voting system accessible for people with disabilities. However, this is not happening. Further in the report, there was some improvement found in terms of impediments at the entrance of polling places. In 2000 59% of polling places had impediments at building entrances; that has been reduced to 25 % in 2008. This is really a shocker to me; in my reading and research it seems like there is much done to provide equal access to programs that will help people with the handicaps they have because of a disability, but it is stories like this that make me feel that more now than ever more advocates are needed for persons with disabilities.
Cindy V.
I agree that all people should be given the opportunity to cast their vote, it's what people in other countries fight for. I think that a way to make it clear that voting accessibility is important is to start issuing a fine to all those polling places that do not comply and this way it will force them to provide accessiblity for people that need it. It makes me wonder what the statistics of accessiblity are here in the valley?
It is a travesty that in this day in age, people are discriminated upon in the electoral process. Taking into consideration the advancements in technology that have taken place, it just doesn't seem plausible that voting would not be accessible. The amount of people with disabilities that voted in the 2000 election is pretty pathetic if you take the amount of people with disabilities that live in the United States. I hope that people will start to take people with disabilities into consideration when creating their local poll stations. I will also keep an eye out at our next local election as well.
jeanette G.
It's so true about it being so not being disability friendlt to vote. I have first hand knowleage since I am in a wheelchair. You would think since the ADA laws have passed in the 90's it would change but we are not even close!I think we say that we live in country that says we are equal to all is said to look good. It is not true! I'm sick of ALWAYS having to ask for help at the voting booth. E.G.
In defense of my use of "astonished"...yeah, I must say that I am pretty astonished at the neglect of our government to refine our voting system. I feel that utilizing that word adequately expresses MY opinion & reflects my disappointment with the delay in action from the government.
Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6300
Voting is a right and every American is entitle to realize, no matter what part of the State you lived in, you have the right to do it. It is sad to see that only 27% of the polling places were accessible to wheelchairs. Government should think better and pay attention to this last election, and even there were improvements from 2000 to 2008 those improvements were not enough. People don't vote every year, so it would be nice if the government make an effort to improve polling facilities for the next presidential election.
Mary Carmen T
Im actually shocked with the the percent of facilities that are still not properly suited for people with disabilities or handicaps since most voting places are schools or public offices which have to meet certain guidelines according to various codes to facilitate people with disabilities/handicaps. Having a mother with a physical handicap, I have honestly never seen her experience any type of trouble while trying to vote. First of all I like the idea that she can actually cast her vote by mail if she would like, and if she chooses not to then there is an actual agency that will pick her up, wheel her to the front of the line and then bring her home. Although her family members can take her, she still prefers to go with this agency because she does not have to wait in long lines as she does when she goes with me. None the less its sad to see that there are so many voting facilites that are not appropriately accessible to people with disabilities/handicaps.
adriana correa :)
A comment on Maggie Ybarra's comment, I do personlly agree with Ms. Ybarras comment that the voting system in this country is very antiquated.I have personal experiance with this being disabled and having to ask for help because being in my wheelchair I cannot reach the top of the voting machines they bring to UTPA.It's a joke when America prides it self as a place where ther is equality for ALL! They should say Only if you are not disabled so we offer REAL equality.E.G.
I am glad some people are getting angered by the voting situation like Amy stated she was in her comment! The ADA law has become a joke that most politicians say they will do something for disability laws but it all a ploy to get our vote. They should start on a better way people with disabilities can vote for the WITHOUT asking for help. E.G.
I believe that for any of us who work or is planning on working in the rehab field, these types of news are not good at all. on the other hand, we will always try to advocate for the benefits of people with any kind of disability no only that, that requires a wheelchair.
Gabriela L.
TOday this should not be happening. With all the advancements in technology and other aspects, the disabled should be treated equal. It seems like a type of discrimination. Not being able to access a building for something like voting is discriminating because its like saying "you cant get in the building, therefore you cant vote here." thats terrible! I think that there should be an online way for people to vote. In recent years, they have reported less and less people going out to vote any way. I bet if we could vote online and it be secure enough where voting is fair, more people would vote for the issues that may be important to them. In a course I am currently taking, the professor informed us that it does not cost a lot for a business to invest in ramps that could be placed and then removed when done using them. I did not know about this. If there were more advertising about these ramps and if the city would force businesses to invest in these ramps things would be a lot better. Aissa S.
Comment on Noemi's comment:
YOu are so right about the Valley holding voting at schools. THey should already be accessible to people with disabilities. I also think that while politicians are putting themselves out there, they should actually DO something rather than say it. I think that if people saw that they are making things happen that they will be voted in. And also, shouldnt the city be responsible for these things? Why hasnt anyone pushed them for help? I know their answer....we dont have the funds. typical. I think people have lost insight on what is truly important. Aissa S.
This is just not right! A person in a wheelchair should have the same voting privilages as any other citizen. New changes need to come about regarding matters like this. It is sad to realize that this hasnt' been fixed. Many laws have been passed to help people with disablities reach equality but if our own country is not providing the support when it comes to voting, then how can we move closer to equality. You would think that with all the new technology that exists today a PWD would not have to face issues like this, yet here we are with another upseting story of how PWD are still struggling in society.
-Claraly Pena
REHS 6300
WOW, i am very surprised that voting accomadations are not set forth? This really is segreation on the vote. I mean how many people with dissabilities cannot vote because of this barrier? People with dissabilities are the most unemployed in the united states. It is simply irresponsible in our country to accomdate so many things and not the VOTE?!
Eddie REyes
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