To advocate for, protect and advance the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities P OLLING P LACE A CCESSIBILITY Molly Broadway, LMSW HAVA Training and Technical Support Specialist Presented at the 27th Annual Election Law Seminar for Cities, Schools and Other Political Subdivisions December 2-4, 2015

Disability Rights Texas & HAVA Disability Rights Texas has specialists on staff to carry out a wide variety of HAVA-related activities, such as:  Training people with disabilities on voting rights,  Surveying polling places for accessibility,  Working with election officials and poll workers,  Responding to legislative inquiries,  Providing a special toll-free Voter Rights Hotline. All FREE of Cost!

What Does An Accessibility Survey Visit Entail?  DRTx specialist will come to your county;  Accessibility surveys will be conducted (preferably accompanied by someone from your office);  A report with recommendations will be written and provided to you for review and implementation. There is no costs to have DRTx come out and survey your sites!

Overview of Election Accessibility Elements to make elections accessible:  Site access -- people with disabilities must have access to polling places.  Access to accessible voting machines.  Vote privately and independently.

Top Polling Site Accessibility Issues in Texas  Parking  Lack of accessible parking  uneven & rough surface  No access aisle  Building Entrances  Inaccessible door hardware  Lips & thresholds over max. requirements

Issues Faced Choosing Polling Sites  Many locations are in private facilities (e.g., churches) – not covered by the ADA, except on election day.  School safety issues (e.g., Sandy Hook Elm.) creating difficulties utilizing facilities or keeping accessible doors and gates unlocked.  Some public facilities have not been made accessible or accessibility maintained.  Rural areas are limited in choices, particularly accessible facilities.

Need for Temporary Solutions Sometimes the only appropriate building to use in a jurisdiction does not meet ADA guidelines, but could, with a little help (improved signage, temporary accessible parking, curbside alert for assistance, voting booths of universal design).

Getting to the Polling Place: Parking  Adequate accessible parking spaces in lot.  Parking access aisle (striping or cone)  Proper accessible parking signage (permanent or temporary)  Ground surface should be level, clear of cracks and broken pavement, and clear of gravel/mud/grass  Attached to an accessible route

Path of Travel: Accessible Route  Path of travel must be 36 inches wide (32 in. up to 2 ft.)  Curb ramps  Signage needed to accessible entrance  Accessible to those with mobility and visual impairments

Entering the Polling Place: Building Entrance  One accessible entrance connected to an accessible route.  One accessible door with maneuvering space clear with for individuals with mobility devices.  Appropriate signage, if accessible door is not main entrance.

Thresholds, Door Widths, and Door Hardware  Doors must be at least 32 inches wide (open 90 degrees).  Raised threshold, lip, or step no higher than 1/4 inches at the door, otherwise must be beveled on both sides or small ramp provided.  Door hardware is accessible when it can be used without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting.

Hallways and Corridors  Good signage  Width of route (36 inches may reduce to 32 inches briefly when approaching doors, furniture or building elements)  No steps, barriers, steep ramps  Free of barriers that could go undetected by visually impaired voters

Using the Polling Place: Voting Area  Must be on accessible route.  Accessible entrances, adequate circulation, and maneuvering space for voters with disabilities.  Free of protruding objects.  Not just for individuals with visible disabilities

My Polling Site Isn’t Accessible What Do I Do? If a polling site being used is not accessible and can’t be made accessible, you must relocate to an accessible site according to the law. DOJ Accessibility Survey:

Molly Broadway, LMSW Training and Technical Support Specialist (512) Voting Hotline VOTE (8683) Go to disabilityrightstx.org and follow us on Facebook