Americans with Disabilities Act Training July 14, 2020 Primary - - PDF document
7/ 1/ 2020 Americans with Disabilities Act Training July 14, 2020 Primary Run-off Election Americans with Disabilities Act Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability Guarantees that individuals with disabilities have the
July 14, 2020 Primary Run-off Election
disability
disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in public life
Polling Location
immune system, etc.)
impairment
such an impairment.
Use p erson-first language:
disability.
requires an interpreter, address the v oter not the interpreter.
to pet them.
individual so it is important not to deter the animal from performing their duties.
a person’s mobility device without the voter specifically requesting this.
If a voter has a speech disability:
said if you don’t.
finish their sentences
If a voter has a visual disability, provide conversation cues:
conversation.
written in;
from reading or marking the ballot.
not an election worker, or
A non-election worker assisting the voter must take an oath that he or she will not try to influence the voter’s vote and will mark the ballot as the voter directs.
If polling place officials assist, poll watchers and election inspectors may observe the voting process; If person of voter’s choosing assists, no one else may watch him or her vote.
Try to influence the voter’s vote; Mark the voter’s ballot in a way
Tell anyone how the voter voted.
Requires state/ local governments to ensure that people with disabilities have a full and equal
Applies to ALL elections ALL aspects of voting
Voters with disabilities have the right to vote:
In person Independently and privately At a polling location that is physically accessible At a physically accessible voting booth
Voters with disabilities have the right to:
Receive assistance from a person of their choice Be provided auxiliary aids or services to ensure effective communication
Voters with disabilities have the right to:
Be provided reasonable modifications Be treated courteously and with respect
Voters with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by a service animal.
Exceptions: Legitimate safety risk Fundamental alteration
Election workers may exclude service animals only if:
cannot or does not regain control
Title II requires the provision of reasonable m odifications to policies, practices, and procedures.
Providing a chair to a voter with a mobility disability as they wait in line. Helping a voter who is blind navigate to the voting area.
Voter should request a reasonable modification. If a person’s disability and need for assistance are obvious, you may offer assistance.
Texas Election Code Sec. 64.009. VOTER UNABLE TO ENTER POLLING PLACE. (a) If a voter is physically unable to enter the polling place without personal assistance or likelihood of injuring the voter's health, on the voter's request, an election officer shall deliver a ballot to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb.
Per Texas Election Code,
receiver will respond and direct voter to the curbside voting area.
If JBCs have lines:
in line with a green post-it found in your ADA folder.
regarding the wait.
the curbside voting area.
qualify voter.
Process a curbside voter just as you process a voter inside the polling location.
take the ePollBook inside to scan the ballot style and produce an access code.
access code on the DAU and lock screen by pressing “HELP” button twice
the short cable.
access code and the DAU portable voting machine to the voter.
“ENTER” to unlock screen
to top of ballot screen
assistance with reading or marking ballot.
from the car while the voter casts their ballot.
cable on the DAU to the long cable of the previous eSlate.
bend the pins.
polling location notification system consisting of a buzzer and a receiver.
ADA manual for how to assemble the buzzer station.
for every polling location.
assembled and set up, place the directional “Curbside Voting” signs to direct voters to the buzzer
area do not have to be in the same place.
Must be accessible to the driver from within the car. Cannot block accessible parking, accessible routes, or curb ramps. Should allow a curbside voter to drive through area where they can access political handouts.
Misconception: That the accessible parking space(s) can and should be used as the curbside voting area
You CANNOT place the BallotCall buzzer in an accessible (handicap) parking space.
Why is this not correct?
Access Aisle Accessible Parking Space
will be provided.
where election worker can monitor all day.
the voting room.
If buzzer isn’t functioning:
worker in sightline of the BallotCall Max throughout the entire election.
Polling location must be accessible —referring to the capacity of a building, parking space, voting room, or pathways to be utilized by an individual with a disability.
ACCESS AISLE
To create an access aisle
Passenger Loading Zone
Accessible Routes:
The exterior and interior routes used by a voter to access both the polling location building and the voting room.
Directional signs must mark:
parking, drop-off area, public sidewalks, public transportation
voting area
Sign identifying route to accessible entrance Sign identifying main entrance is not accessible & direction to accessible entrance
Accessible routes:
resistant
greater than ½ inch wide
changes greater than ½ inch
Exterior accessible routes:
Temporary remedies for inaccessible exterior voter routes:
plates where there are gaps in the walkways.
placed first over gap, with HCCO stamp facing up.
provide a three-feet wide route.
lay flat.
Temporary ramps may be installed when a route is interrupted with abrupt level changes.
is installing temporary ramp
the ramp
v oters up the ra m p unless they a sk for such help .
floor cannot protrude more than 4” into the accessible route
underneath or to either side of protruding object.
Why must doors be propped open/ monitored?
If a doorway threshold is too high, a threshold ramp or a landing with approach ramps will be installed on the low side of the threshold.
during voting hours.
throughout voting.
at non-accessible entrances directing voters to accessible entrance.
Sign identifying route to accessible entrance Sign identifying main entrance is not accessible & direction to accessible entrance
minimum 32” clear width.
entrance has double doors, prop both doors open.
post, remove the post and prop doors open.
working properly. If not, call ADA Coordinator immediately.
a poll worker to operate the elevator
throughout the entire election.
Voting Area
resistant.
be reachable by a voter using a wheelchair or other mobility device.
Voting Area
station must provide adequate clear floor space of 60” diameter
Voter traffic flow – How voters:
the accessible route, they must be covered with a compliant cord cover and affixed to the floor.
removed or firmly affixed to the floor.
Experts, and US Department of Justice teams will inspect locations to ensure that remedies are implemented properly.
Notice to Voters w ith Disabilities posted twice:
at a level to be read by voter who uses a wheelchair.
provide them with the Disability Complaint Form.
filling out the form.
Harris County will:
2.Provide a written determination with a resolution, if any. 3.Forward explanation of resolution to complainant within 20 days. 4.Maintain files and records relating to complaints.
Appeals process:
2.Voters can be directed to HarrisVotes.com for the procedures and specific deadlines of the appeals process
https:/ / www.ada.gov/ votingchecklist.pdf
Access Problems at Polling Places https:/ / www.ada.gov/ ada_voting/ voting_solutions_ta/ p
and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities https:/ / www.ada.gov/ ada_voting/ ada_voting_ta.pdf
http:/ / southwestada.org/
ADA Coordinator: Rachelle Obakozuw a 1001 Preston, 4th Floor, Houston, TX 77002 713-755-6965 | ada@cco.hctx.net