EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Sanford Morganstein
Organization : | Populex Corporation
Post Date : | 8/26/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 2.2.7
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Comment : | We also request the EAC/TGDC to broaden the term, ATI, used extensively throughout Section 2.2.7 to mean “Audio-Tactile Interface.” We think the ability to vote can be extended to voters with a broad range of disabilities not covered by a strict reading of “tactile.” For example, a “Sip and Puff” device can be used by voters who do not have the use of their hands. If “tactile” is unambiguous then no further work is needed on this section. On the other hand, the Random House Dictionary of the English Language (Unabridged Edition) uses “touch” in its definition of tactile although “tangible” is a supplementary meaning. As a vendor intending to provide accessibility to the broadest spectrum of voters with a variety of disabilities, we think the admonition in Section 2.2.7 is well placed: “The requirements within Section 2.2.7.1 are intended to address this [HAVA] mandate. Ideally every voter would be able to vote independently and privately. As a practical matter, there may be a small number of voters whose disabilities are so severe that they will need personal assistance. Nonetheless, the requirements of this section are meant to make the voting system directly accessible to as many voters as possible.”