ADA Celebration on July 17 and Accessible voting
IAD Secretary
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Please share with the deaf community about the demonstration of accessible voting devices from 5 national vendors in the Capitol on the 2nd floor of the Rotunda from 10am to 4pm. As you may know, an accessible voting device is required for Federal elections in every polling place by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Accessible voting devices are designed to assist voters who may have difficulty seeing or marking a ballot. This demonstration is an opportunity for the public to try out and compare accessible voting solutions.
The American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be 25 years old this year. On Friday, July 17, the anniversary of the signing of the law will be celebrated in the Capitol Park by members of and advocates for the Disability Community Hands Around the Capitol 2015 from 11:00 to 5:00.
For more information on those activities and participating groups and agencies contact the organizer Dana Gover for a complete rundown. I let her know you may want a final schedule etc. The secretary will read the Governor’s welcoming proclamation at 11:20 according to the tentative schedule.
In conjunction with ADA Day, the office of the Secretary will be hosting a demonstration of accessible voting devices from 5 national vendors in the Capitol on the 2nd floor of the Rotunda from 10am to 4pm. As you may know, an accessible voting device is required for Federal elections in every polling place by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Accessible voting devices are designed to assist voters who may have difficulty seeing or marking a ballot. This demonstration is an opportunity for the public to try out and compare accessible voting solutions.
These demonstrations are for information purposes so our office can learn more about what might be available for voters with disabilities in the future. All voting systems must be certified by the secretary of state before they can be purchased by the counties. We will also be gathering feedback from the public after they try out the accessible voting devices.
The highlight of ADA Day at noon will be the “Hands Around the Capitol” event where folks join hands and ring the building. 5 years ago about 1000 people participated.
The following are product profiles from the participating vendors to give you a little background.
Here are links that may be helpful. The American’s with Disabilities Act and voting (scroll down). The Help America Vote Act. Accessible Voting in Idaho.July 17, 2015 – 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Accessible Voting System Demonstrations - Capitol Rotunda – 10am to 4pm – Boise, Idaho
Participating Vendors’ product statements in their own words
1. Everyone Counts, Inc.
Shelley Furse, Sales Director, West Region
Uniform and Universally-Accessible Voting
Everyone Counts’ solution solves the dilemma that election officials face today of having different voting systems and ballot styles for different voters. The Ballot Marking Device (BMD) is available to all voters, including those with accessibility needs, and eliminates the singling out of voting populations with a separate system and the need to provide pre-printed ballots. In addition, Everyone Counts' solution lowers the quantity of booths needed at each station due to the interchangeability and the “on-the-fly” conversion of booths from accessible to traditional. Voters can mark their ballots by using the intuitive touchscreen on the Ballot Marking Device or by using an assistive device to initiate one of three actions: Forward, Backward, and Select.
Most importantly, all voters, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, can now use the same voting system. Poll workers no longer need to be responsible for the maintenance of stand-alone specialty systems or be concerned about steep learning curves that are often associated with purpose-built accessible systems. Everyone Counts’ platform is built with intuitive interfaces and operates using familiar adaptive accessories to ensure that all voters can fully participate in the democratic process and no voter faces barriers in casting their ballot, including the increasing population of the newly disabled.
2. Election Systems and Software, Inc. (ES&S)
Jake T. Johnson | Customer Service Manager
“The ExpressVote Universal Voting System combines paper-based voting with touch screen technology to create an innovative breakthrough in voting solutions. Used in early vote centers and on Election Day in precincts or vote centers, the ExpressVote handles the entire ballot-casting process. Election officials no longer have to guess the number of ballots to print – instead, an inexpensive Vote Session ActivatorTM card determines the ballot style presented on the touch screen. ExpressVote can serve every eligible voter, including those with special needs. As a fully compliant ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) voting solution, ExpressVote enables each voter to cast his or her ballot independently.”
3. Five Cedars Software Group, Inc.
John Schmitt
Five Cedars Group’s software generates Alternate Format Ballots (AFB) that empower voters with vision impairments and other disabilities to vote independently and in private using laptops, tablets and other digital devices provided for them or, even better, at home on their own personal equipment, at the time and location of their choosing.
Our HTML and large print ballots have been used by Oregon’s disabled community, and UOCAVA voters, to mark their ballot choices since May 2008.
The development of these Alternate Format Ballots was in direct response to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirement to provide equal access to the voting process for people with disabilities that insures privacy and independence.
4. Hart InterCivic
Ron Clevenger
Vice President, Sales
Hart InterCivic is the most recent election solution company to have products certified in Idaho by the Secretary of State’s office. Hart is a 103 year old company, headquartered in Austin, TX. Hart’s voting technology is used in 16 states, including Idaho, by 100’s of satisfied municipalities. And Hart has roots in Idaho as well. Hart’s Vice President of Sales, Ron Clevenger, is a long time Ada County resident.
Today, Hart is displaying two accessible solutions:
First is eSlate from the Hart Voting System. eSlate is an ADA solution currently certified in Idaho and recently used or purchased in Bonneville, Franklin and Caribou Counties. The second product is the Verity™ Touch Writer; an accessible ballot marking device that provides true equality of access, enabling voters of all abilities to vote privately and independently. Both devices utilize Hart’s award winning wheel and button interface allowing for simple, streamlined use by voter’s with a wide range of needs.
5. Democracy Live
Bryan Finney
“Democracy Live, in partnership with Microsoft has launched the first off-the-shelf accessible balloting tablet. Windows tablets, running Democracy Live balloting software offers state-of-the-art tablet technology that meets all federal requirements for accessible ballot marking.
Democracy Live and Microsoft teamed to pioneer the tablet solution to elections administrators and voters with a low-cost, light weight alternative to the proprietary, expensive, one-size fits all voting machines from the legacy vendors. Used and trusted by millions of voters, Windows tablets, together with Democracy Live “LiveBallot” software offers unmatched accessibility, lower cost, portability and importantly choice. For the first time ever, elections administrators now have a say in what brand and size their balloting devices can come in.”
Thank you for getting the word out. If you have questions, give me a call. jm
Direct: 332-2834
Jim Mairs
HAVA Coordinator
Idaho Secretary of State
jma...@sos.idaho.gov
208-334-2852
