2020 Elections: Incorporating and Engaging the American Disabled Community
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Making Every Vote Count for America's 38 Million Disabled Voters
Voter engagement specialist, Jack Rosen, sat down for a candid chat with Healthline Media, spotlighting the 38 million Americans with disabilities who are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
According to Rutgers University, more than a quarter of the U.S. electorate has a disability or shares a household with a person with a disability, making this group a significant voting bloc.
As a voting rights advocate with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Rosen tackles the barriers preventing voters with disabilities from participating in the democratic process. By collaborating with various civil rights organizations, he ensures national advocacy and resource development for political causes that affect people with disabilities.
"It's amazing how many people are unaware of this massive group," Rosen said, referring to the 38 million projected by Rutgers' study. "My job is to expose that and connect with them."
For Rosen, "healthy voting" means two key things for voters with disabilities. Firstly, voting must be recognized as a healthy activity, providing social connection and laying the groundwork for community engagement. Secondly, it's critical to vote on issues directly impacting their health, such as access to healthcare, Social Security benefits, and veterans' services.
How has the pandemic affected accessible voting? Although isolation is common among this demographic, the pandemic has also presented some positive aspects, such as improved mail-in and electronic voting options. However, a majority of polling places have yet to reach ADA compliance, necessitating further advancements in accessibility.
Understanding the historical context is vital to counteracting these challenges. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned literacy tests and enabled voters with disabilities to receive assistance from their chosen person. In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) ensured every polling place offers at least one accessible voting system.
Despite this progress, the battle for accessible voting is far from over. As of a recent GAO report, 60% of polling stations still fall short of ADA compliance.
Additional concerns include a potential poll worker shortage and the closure of accessible polling stations like nursing facilities or schools. Adapting polling places and training poll workers in:
- Voter registration procedures
- Selecting and setting up accessible voting machines
- Aiding voters who require assistance
is crucial.
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of healthcare for people with disabilities, potentially impacting their voting priorities and urgency. Claims that COVID-19 deaths are "pre-existing" have struck a nerve with the disabled community, who understand firsthand what the term means and the threats it poses to their wellbeing.
Lastly, Rosen advised poll station volunteers to make the most of their training programs, seeking guidance about:
- Correctly using accessible voting machines
- Assisting with any issues pertaining to accessibility at the polling station
- Offering support to individuals who need help
with emphasis on the latter being a last resort for when accessible equipment is unavailable or not functioning properly.
So, let's strive to create accessible, inclusive, and empowering voting experiences for America's disabled communities this election season. Every voice matters in shaping our nation's future.
Links to Register or Check Your Voter Status:
- Register to Vote
- Check Your Voter Registration Status
- Science and policy-and-legislation intersect in the ongoing efforts to ensure the accessibility of voting for people with disabilities, with debates centered around ADA compliance and the distribution of accessible voting machines.
- The mental-health aspects of voting for individuals with disabilities should not be overlooked, as addressings issues related to their health-and-wellness, such as access to healthcare, voting on matters of personal concern can foster a sense of empowerment.
- In the general-news realm, the intersection of politics and disabilityandmobility becomes apparent during elections, as advocacy groups like the NDRN work towards breakthroughs in policy and legislative changes that guarantee the right to vote for millions of Americans with disabilities.
