Wireless RERC - Accessible Voting

NFB Calls for Accessible Voting: Online Ballot Marking

mz22 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:20:26 +0000

National Federation of the Blind Endorses Online Ballot Marking

August 2014 – In preparation of the 2014 Congressional Elections, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is compelling states to make online ballot-marking systems accessible to voters with disabilities. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires all states allow certain U.S. citizens to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The resolution requests that states allow the same convenience to disabled individuals that are provided to individuals serving in the military, federal government employees, citizens abroad, and those who qualify for the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

The push for electronic ballot delivery options references eLect®, an internet voting solution that allows voters to use screen readers, print reading and voice recognition software when casting their ballot. According to the press release, “Online ballot-marking is accessible absentee voting, it provides voters with disabilities the option to mark their ballots on their smartphone, tablets and computers using the same assistive devices and tools that they use to navigate the web throughout their daily lives.” With the 2014 Congressional election around the corner – November 4, 2014 – the NFB is encouraging states to make voter participation more inclusive for disabled individuals. For more information, please visit the link below.

FCC Speaker Series to Address Accessibility in Voting

mz22 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:25:43 +0000

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Accessible Voting

voting

FCC Press Release

February 2014 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host Dr. Juan E. Gilbert, Chair of the Human-Centered Computing Division at Clemson University, as the latest speaker for the Accessibility and Innovation Speaker Series. Dr. Gilbert, a winner of the Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility, will present on “Innovation in Voting Accessibility,” and discuss Prime III, “a secure, multimodal electronic voting system developed by his lab.” The presentation will be held on March 11, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in the FCC Commission Meeting Room, and will be followed by an accessible technology demonstration. For those unable to attend, the session will be streamed live at FCC.gov/live.

New Report Highlights Need for Accessibility in Voting

mz22 — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:58:13 +0000

Accessible Voting

The American Voting Experience: Report and Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration

January 2014 — The Presidential Commission on Election Administration released a report providing recommendations to streamline the voting process. The formation of the Commission follows the 2012 election, where long lines and inaccessibility hindered voters. The Commission’s report highlights that the accommodations made for voters with disabilities or limited English proficiency varies widely with location. Accordingly, the report recommends that all polling places be routinely audited for physical accessibility while poll workers are provided with additional training to ensure they can answer questions concerning accessibility. To ensure the accessibility of voter registration, the report recommends providing in-home registration online. Also noted was the need for advisory groups to ensure that the needs of 35 million Americans with accessibility needs are met.