1. National Institute of Standards and Technology
Accessibility and Usability Considerations for UOCAVA Remote Electronic Voting Systems
Sharon Laskowski, PhD
National Institute of Standards and Technology

2. Overview
Goal: Provide guidance on best practices for usability and accessibility when designing and implementing remote voting systems
White paper parallels the security considerations report
Scope is electronic remote voting systems

3. Issues and recommendations are organized by technology
General accessibility and usability
Web browsers
Web ballot repositories
Online ballot markers and electronic form fillers
Kiosks
Telephone-based interfaces
Fax machines

4. General Guidance Refer to existing standards
VVSG 1.0, 1.1, 2.0
Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines and techniques including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0)
Test with voters, including voters with disabilities, in a user-centered design process

5. Web-Based Approaches Browser compatibility WCAG 2.0 guidelines
Accessible authentication
e.g., avoid visual CAPTCHAs
Screen readers need clear focus of attention
Universal design, e.g, plain language

6. Built-in Accessibility vs. PAT
Web-based systems can achieve some accessibility by designing for compatibility with Personal Assistive Technology (PAT)
However, many voters with disabilities
Do not have access to or experience with PAT
Vote from a public location
Accessibility should be built-in where possible
E.g, magnification, audio
Kiosk systems if designed to VVSG will have some built-in accessibility

7. Ballot Repositories: Electronic vs. Paper
For usability and accessibility, minimize handling and marking of paper ballots
Use on-line ballot marking following best practices and standards for electronic form-filling
e.g., check for over- and under-voting
e.g., use audio or magnification for filling out and verifying
PDF needs to be accessible
Marks must be understood by a screen reader

8. Other issues
Telephone interfaces should follow best practices for interactive voice response systems
US telecom standards might not apply overseas
Fax machines, in general, will not be accessible

9. Proposed Resolution
White paper on “Accessibility and Usability Considerations for UOCAVA Remote Electronic Voting Systems”
The TGDC accepts the white paper titled “Accessibility and Usability Considerations for UOCAVA Remote Electronic Voting Systems” for transmittal to the Election Assistance Commission.
This paper responds to the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) resolution requesting that the National Institute of Standards and Technology conduct a short-term (several months) research study on accessibility and usability considerations for remote electronic Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Rights Act (UOCAVA) voting similar to the research document on "Security Considerations for Remote Electronic UOCAVA Voting.