The perspective and participation of individuals with disabilities make communities stronger. Everyone is worthy of being fully present and heard in all the spaces of your choosing. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) lets you use your voice in spaces you may not have had access to before.
Living with a disability often requires planning, research, and creativity to participate in common activities. This could mean coordinating a ride with a safe driver. Or asking for accommodations to attend an event. Or exploring the best way for you to register to vote and then cast the vote of your choice.
The act of voting and communicating your rights during election time can be complicated. According to the American Association of People with Disabilities, voter turnout increased 5.9% among citizens with disabilities in recent years. Voter experiences vary due to access challenges. Transportation and isolation can also be a factor in whether to vote. This video shares the perspective of individuals with disabilities as they participate in election voting.
Here are some voting resources and considerations to help you feel empowered to use your voice and exercise your right to participate in this important community function.
There are several federal laws protecting your right to vote. Since 1990, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local governments to ensure that individuals with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. This applies to all aspects of voting, including voter registration, polling place site selection, election websites, and the casting of ballots, whether on Election Day or during an early voting process, and whether in-person or absentee. Learn more about how the ADA applies to voting.
Voting in person can help you feel connected to your community. Take your AAC device with you to communicate with poll workers. The ADA Checklist for Polling Places shares the expectation of accessibility for parking, passenger drop-off locations, wheelchair accessible routes in and out of the building, voting areas, and more. Ballot drop boxes are also evaluated for accessibility. The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA) requires accessible polling places in federal elections for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Where no accessible location is available to serve as a polling place, voters must be provided an alternate means of voting on Election Day.
With these guidelines in place, it may still be beneficial to look up your local polling place in advance and visit in person to verify that it meets your needs. Do this before the deadline to vote absentee or by mail-in ballot so you can make the right choice for you. Contact your local board of elections if you have questions or concerns.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) requires election officials to allow a voter who is blind or has another disability to receive assistance from a person of the voter’s choice (other than the voter’s employer or its agent or an officer or agent of the voter’s union). Voters with disabilities may receive assistance in all aspects of the voting process, including in requesting, completing, and returning a ballot, whether in person, absentee, or by mail-in ballot.
Consider now who might be your trusted person to assist you with voting at home or in person. Set up a time with them before the deadline to complete your absentee or mail-in ballot or coordinate transportation with them to your local polling site for Election Day.
Watch the video below to learn more about the voting experience and your options for support.
Curious about the personal experiences of an AAC communicator during an election? PRC-Saltillo Ambassador Chris Klein shares about his first time voting, his perspective on voter companions, and how he has used his AAC device at a polling location.