!
People with
Developmental Disabilities Want to !
Did you Know?...
« Sometimes this includes sharing information or offering assistance to voters who might not read or write easily.
« VOTING is our VOICE in our government, so respect and trust individual’s decisions by not questioning their voting ability.
« They can’t vote because they don’t read.
« The polling place is not accessible.
« They can't get assistance or other accommodations.
« They can’t vote because they have a guardian.
« The issues are confusing and they are not smart enough.
« Have plenty of accessible parking spaces near an easily marked entrance. Make sure doors are easy to open.
« Using language that all voters can understand.
« Provide accessible voting equipment, interpreters and alternative formats.
« Be available in case your assistance is requested and invite the voter to tell you what is needed.
Hints for assisting citizens with disabilities
Encourage everyone to register to vote. Offer voter registration forms and be available to assist people in completing them.
Do everything possible to provide a regular ballot. However, if you cannot confirm that a person is eligible to vote, always offer a Provisional Ballot. It is a temporary ballot you can use when there is a question. This can be used by everybody.
Be aware of the variety of formats that voters may need to vote, such as large print, Braille or pictures. Make sure these are available at the polling place.
Remember, support is the choice of the voter. Welcome a voter and the assistant
that he or she chooses to bring. In some cases, you may be asked to help a
voter do things like reading, pushing buttons or writing.
Remember All Citizens with Disabilities Can !
This Fact Sheet was developed by Project VOTE!. with funding from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. For more information, contact Hannah Bowen at phone: 503-725-9609 email: bowenh@pdx.edu or Tia Nelis at phone: 312-413-1284 email: tianelis@uic.edu.