EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Christina Galindo-Walsh
Organization : | National Disability Rights Network
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
Section Comments
Section : | A1A
Page no. : |
Line no.: |
Comment : | Section: "Accessibility" (Appendix A: Glossary) Page No: A-2 Line No: 9-14 Comments/Recommendations: The definition of accessibility is too narrow because it only refers to people with cognitive disabilities, but not people with other types of mental disabilities. In order to make the definition consistent with the statutory language of HAVA, it must include all individuals with mental disabilities, not just those with cognitive disabilities. Accordingly, the definition should be revised as follows (underlined italics indicate the revision): Accessibility: Measurable characteristic that indicates the degree to which a system is available to, and usable by, Individuals with disabilities. The most common disabilities include those associated with vision, hearing and mobility, as well as mental disabilities. HAVA also includes accessibility requirements for alternative language access for American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Hispanic voters with limited English proficiency.