Barrier Free Voting
"Voting is not only our right, but also our responsibility as citizens of the United States of America." Nancy Ward
Americans with disabilities have the right to vote in elections.
ADA Title II protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in the services, programs and activities of all state and local governments, including voting in Federal, state and local elections.
- Public entities cannot deny qualified individuals participation in the voting process
- Public entities are not allowed to make unnecessary inquiries about a person's disability
- Public entities are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to allow people with disabilities access to voting
- Public entities are required to ensure voting related communications are equally effective for voters with disabilities
The Help American Vote Act (HAVA) was an election reform law passed in 2002 that includes several provisions related to voting access for people with disabilities. It addresses barriers including:
- Physical access barriers to polling places
- Lack of private and independent voting
- Failure to provide voting and registration materials in accessible formats
For complete information on accessible voting for Americans with Disabilities, visit the resources below or call us at 800/949-4232!
To purchase our Access to Voting pocket guide or Barrier Free Voting poster, visit the web store!
Resources for Self Advocates with Disabilities
Resources for Voters with Disabilities (US Election Assistance Commission)
Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access (National Disability Rights Network)
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access)
Vote, It's Your Right: A Guide to Voting Rights of People with Mental Disabilities (Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law)
Disability Vote Project (AAPD)
Election Protection Coalition (Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law)
Resources for Government
ADA Checklist for Polling Places (Department of Justice)
Quick Start Management Guide: Accessibility (US Election Assistance Commission)
Making Polling Places Accessible Video (US Election Assistance Commission)
Voting Systems Accessibility webinar (ILRU)
ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State & Local Governments (Department of Justice)
Help America Vote Act (Administration on Intellectual and Development Disabilities - HHS)
Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (National Council on Dibility)
People with Disabilities & Voting (The Center for an Accessible Society)
Voting Accessibility (TRACE R&D Center)
