Access Committee: When "Disabled" means "Disenfranchised"— Accessibility and American Elections

With turnout surging to levels not seen in 120 years, last month's election was a historic one for voter participation. Still, several million eligible American voters found it difficult or impossible to vote due to poor accommodations for cognitive, physical or sensory impairments. The Access Committee is proud to host an expert panel on this critical aspect of civic engagement, with Q+A to follow. Our discussion will include such factors as alternate balloting methods, universal voting machines, poll-worker training, site selection, and polling-place modification, all of which shape the degree to which disabled and other marginalized communities can exercise the right to vote. We invite all designers and stakeholders with experience or interest in removing barriers to voting in future elections to participate.

Panel:
Michelle Bishop, MSW
Voter Access & Engagement Manager, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

Gretchen Macht, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Rhode Island College of Engineering; Director, URI VOTES

Marlene Sallo, JD
Executive Director, Disability Law Center (Massachusetts)

Kathryn Denis
Associate, KMA Architecture + Accessibility

Moderator
Ian Baldwin AIA