EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Diane Golden
Organization : | Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
Post Date : | 9/9/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 2.2.7.1
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Comment : | Some of the discussion sections indicate that it is anticipated that future versions of the VVSG will require these accessibility features. In reality, the VVSG (Version 1) access standards that apply to purchases designed to meet the January 1, 2006 deadline for one accessible machine per polling place will dictate what is available for the next 10-20 years. Considering that HAVA funds are provided for a one-time purchase, the majority of states will not be able to easily move from a “should” system to a “shall” system and those additional requirements will have little impact on what is available to consumers for years to come. Unlike other types of information technology, voting systems do not have a typical replacement cycle of 3 to 4 years. As a result, planning on incremental increases in accessibility through subsequent VVSG versions will provide limited end outcomes for consumers. In addition, since HAVA requires one “accessible” voting machine per polling place, the legal benchmark for that one accessible machine will be the access standards/guidelines currently available. A guideline or standard with a “should” is not part of what is required to meet the legal requirement of “accessible” and will have little impact on the market and buying decisions. Recommendation: Many of these features are currently available in products on the market (e.g. many offer switch input, many offer both synthesized and digitized speech options.) We would recommend that a mandatory upgrade date be specified for which an Acc-VS must provide these current “should” features. If an upgrade date is not required, all due consideration must be given to changing “shoulds” to “shalls” to the maximum extent possible.