Workshop to help disabled voters engage in local elections

by PegNews wire

FORT WORTH — The first Voting Workshop for People with disAbilities and Special Needs took place in preparation for the energized and historic 2008 presidential election. This time, the May local elections present an opportunity for a second pass at getting more people with disAbilities to vote, a group with one of the lowest voter turnout rates at less than 34% in the 2004 presidential election according to the Coalition for Texans with Disabilities in Austin, Texas. Limited access to information, limited understanding of voting rights, and at times limited access to polling places are often obstacles.

“When a friend told me that she voted for the first time, in her 50’s, I was moved,” signed workshop organizer Tracey Michol. “We both stood there with tears in our eyes mostly because it was a happy time, and because it shouldn’t have taken so long.” Michol’s friend is blind, and she is deaf. A voting workshop came as an idea to Michol after her experiences as a voter, caucus participant and state delegate in the 2008 general election. “It was like being invited to dinner, but someone forgot to set a place for you at the table,” Michol continued. “I want to change that.”

Last year Advocacy, Inc. and Coalition for Texans with Disabilities teamed up to conduct voting workshops for people with disabilities around the State of Texas. This time Michol recruited the help of the Tarrant County Elections Center. “The mission of the Tarrant County Elections Department is to establish and increase public confidence in the electoral process,” said Steve Raborn, Tarrant County Elections Administrator. “This includes our commitment to provide equal opportunity for all citizens to participate in the democratic process. We welcome questions and feedback on our programs for voters with disabilities and special needs.”

On Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 9:30 AM in Fort Worth, Texas, people with disAbilities and special needs, their families, friends and supporters are invited to learn about voting laws, voting rights, the voting process and the importance of voting. Non-profit organizations, government agencies, and businesses will participate in an exhibit area to provide information about services and products available to accommodate special needs in an effort to inform the non-disabled population. Invitations are going out to elected officials and candidates to speak, meet and talk with attendees during a reception. In local elections, the challenge is reaching elected officials and candidates in 39 entities, including cities and school districts, in Tarrant County alone. The numbers become overwhelming when broadening the scope to include other counties in North Texas, and not all candidates have campaign offices or working staff to contact.

Registration and table exhibits will open at 9:30 AM. Training begins at 10:00 AM. Exhibitors include non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses: REACH of Fort Worth, Easter Seals of North Texas, Texas DARS Blind Services, City of Fort Worth Community Relations Department, Tarrant County College (TCC) South Campus Disability Support Services, Dallas Black Deaf Advocates, Hired Hands, Tarrant County Elections Center, Krown Manufacturing Inc, New Life HME, Collins Realtime Reporting. Texas Christian University (TCU) Academic Services provided additional support in reaching students with disAbilities.

Elected officials and candidates are invited to speak, meet and shake hands with attendees with special needs, and those with special needs are invited to Part 2 of Experience the Experience of Voting.

The voting workshop will include a mock voting demonstration with voting machines provided by the Tarrant County Elections Center. Attendees will have an opportunity to register to vote and tour the facilities of the Elections Center following the workshop. The workshop is an educational event with an emphasis on access to the democratic process and voting. It will be a fun learning experience for family and friends, and it’s free. Please see attached announcement flyer and preliminary agenda for more information about the content of the workshop. Also visit http://yourvotecountsp2.wordpress.com for names of speakers invited and additional information about voting.

Source: Voting Workshop for People with disAbilities