Category Archives: Accessibility

Help Evaluate Polling Sites in MA

Accessibility, News

MA has decent accessibility laws, but right now, it is up to volunteers to ensure our polling sites are accessible for all.  The Disability Law Center (DLC) is coordinating efforts to evaluate the hundreds of polling sites in MA.  You can help us by learning what to look for, and sending evaluations to DLC.

Please fill out the DLC survey when you vote. Even if you do not encounter any barriers, your input on a specific site is valuable! You may want to read it ahead of time to get an overview of pertinent information:: Take the DLC Polling Place Accessibility Survey.

For a quick overview, view the DLC Slides for evaluating polling sites: DLC Polling Site Evaluation Powerpoint Slides.

The following training video explains the laws and what to look for at your polling site:

REV UP MA 2023 Disability Voting Webinar

Accessibility, Educate, News

September 20, 2023

Agenda:

  • 12:30-12:35: Opening remarks discussing the importance of local elections, accessible voting and any news from the Secretary’s office. Bridget Murphy from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office
  • 12:35-12:50: Overview of voting policy and advocacy across states and at the federal level.  Topics will include John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, The Freedom to Vote Act, Voter Suppression across states, and different advocacy efforts from other REV UP groups and voting rights groups across the country. Alexia Kemmerling, REV UP’s Coordinator for state efforts
    • 12:50-1:00: Q&A
  • 1:00-1:30: Discussion of specific organizations’ services, work in voting rights and current or upcoming advocacy and legislative projects and how voters with disabilities can engage with their work. Representatives from Common Cause, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Stavros and the Provider’s Council’s CareVote Initiative
    • 1:30-1:40: Q&A
  • 1:40-1:50: Overview and update on the state’s electronic accessible vote by mail system, how the system works in local elections and the importance of being aware of and utilizing accessible electronic vote by mail. Tatum Pritchard, Disability Law Center
    • 1:50-2:00 Q&A
  • 2:00-2:15 Close of main Webinar and short break before Polling Place Survey Training
  • 2:15-3:15: Training presentation on how to recognize accessibility violations at polling locations and report them in real time to Disability Law Center with a new detailed survey tool. The training will also teach attendees how to fully survey and monitor polling places in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote Act, so that volunteers can help Disability Law Center in their mission to keep voting in Massachusetts accessible for everyone. Tom Murphy and Emily Almeda-Lopez from Disability Law Center