EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Janna Starr, Bob Herman, Mark Reichert
Organization : | Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 2.2.7
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Comment : | a number of standards in the VVSG continue to utilize "should¨ instead of "shall¨, including: „X Shape and color identification of buttons and controls (2.2.7.1.2.1.3) „X Sanitized headphones (2.2.7.1.2.2.3.4) „X Capacity to provide digitized (human) speech versus synthesized speech (2.2.7.1.2.2.3.8) „X Voter ability to adjust speed of speech (2.2.7.1.2.2.3.9) „X Capacity to provide dual switch input (2.2.7.1.3.4) 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. 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.