Common, Easy to Fix Barriers to Disability Access

1. 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

2. 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

3. Recommendations • Notice of Election • Accessible Parking • Signage • Route of Travel • Doors • Voter Information Postings • Outreach

4. 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

5. Notice of Election Website • 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)

6. Notice of Election Information in mailed ballot regarding AVUs and in-person early voting • Simple wording • Large print • Provide time and location of AVUs

7. 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

8. 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

9. Accessible Parking Clear signage and bold paint job indicating accessible parking

10. Accessible Parking • Check signage • Monitor availability of parking • Signage indicating availability of voting

11. Signage “Vote Here” and accessible parking signage indicating both accessible parking spot and accessible voting center

12. Signage • Temporary signs during election day • Signs at parking, entrance, and route indicating path to AVU location • Don’t block access with sign!

13. 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

14. Signage for pathway • Info on accessible voting in Spanish & English • Sign indicates AVU is available • Signage during early voting period

15. 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

16. 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!

17. Route of Travel • Obstacles: • Loose rug someone could trip over • Plant overgrowth

18. Ashtray narrows pathway Ashtray in the accessible route makes the pathway too narrow for a person in a wheelchair to get passed

19. Hallway obstructions • Placing an object on the floor beneath the protrusion will make the obstruction apparent to a person using a cane

20. Voter Information Postings • Complaint process must be visible • Tables can obstruct access • Signage must be visible from wheelchair • Large print

21. Voter Information Postings • Voting poster on top of the piano may not be visible to a person using a wheelchair • Monitor postings at all election sites

22. Doors • Heavy doors can be a barrier to access for some • Lowering the resistance on doors helps make them more accessible

23. Outreach • Consider accessibility at candidate forums • Bring AVUs to voters • Provide opportunities to use AVUs at public events