Vicki McGahee PAVA Coordinator. Polling Place Accessibility Survey Data collection Survey results...

Vicki McGaheePAVA Coordinator

Polling Place Accessibility Survey

Data collection

Survey results

Post survey

Basic accessible features needed by voters with disabilities:

◦ Parking◦ Entrance to the polling place◦ Voting area◦ Curbside voting◦ Availability of assistance◦ Accessible ballots

A non-partisan coalition dedicated to increasing the numbers of people with disabilities who vote through voter education and improved access to the voting process

More than 36 member organizations Chaired by P&A

◦ AARP◦ League of Women Voters◦ SC Association of the Deaf◦ SC Autism Society◦ The ARC of SC◦ National Alliance on Mental Illness◦ Office of the Governor – DD Council◦ United Way ◦ Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging◦ SC Special Olympics ◦ Statewide Independent Living Council◦ USC Center for Disability Resources◦ SC Assistive Technology Program

SC DisAbility Voting Coalition

United Way

P&A’s website - Pandasc.org

Facebook

Surveymonkey

296 surveys completed

23 (50%) of the 46 counties

53 (18%) were completed by voters with disabilities

76% - Accessible parking spaces with visible signs

15% - No accessible parking spaces

25% - No accessible parking spaces for vans 20% - Accessible parking spaces not on the

shortest route

37% - No sign

44% - Not monitored

82 - No sign at polling place and one was needed

22 - Doorways were not wide enough

11% - No clear and level route of travel

13% - Ramp was not stable, was too steep, and did not have handrails

32% - No place to rest

22% - No information at eye level

12% - Path of travel not free from barriers

12% - Area not arranged for easy movement

9% - Voting area not clear

Access to assistance

Access to accessible formats

Poll workers have the training needed to work effectively with all voters, especially people with disabilities.

Polling places are accessible to all voters – from the parking lot to the voting machines.

Curbside voting is implemented consistently at all precincts and poll workers are provided needed training on the implementation.

Every precinct has the required number of poll workers to assist all voters.

Released P&A report – 12/10/12

Meetings with SC Election Commission

SC DisAbility Voting Coalition ◦ Curbside Voting◦ Early Voting

Vicki McGahee PAVA Coordinator 3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208 Columbia, SC 29204 803-217-6702 (office) 866-275-7273 (toll-free) 866-232-4525 (TTY) mcgahee@pandasc.org