Every Vote Counts: Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Voting Technology Training

Michelle Housh BA, Amanda Jones MOT OTR/L, Leslie Kokotek BS, Brady Sellet, Sandra Grether PhD CCC-SLP, & Andrea O'Brien PhD MSW LSW
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The University of Cincinnati University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Introduction
People with disabilities are less likely than their nondisabled peers to vote. (United States Census Bureau, 2010; Schur, Shields, Kruse, & Schriner, 2002). Actual and expected difficulties at polling places, including understanding how to vote or how to use voting technology, contribute to this lower voter turnout (Schur et al., 2002). The eSlate is one type of voting technology designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, increasing their confidence (Hart Intercivic, 2012). While assistive technology (AT), such as the eSlate, is necessary for people with disabilities to participate in the political process, lack of knowledge about use is a major barrier to taking advantage of these devices (Harris, 2010). Providing access to training and support with this technology enables people with disabilities to vote and can increase empowerment.

Method
Participants were recruited from local community agencies involved with self-advocacy, residential programs, employment and career training, and postsecondary education. Interactive training sessions were conducted by the local Board of Elections to provide practice opportunities using the eSlate and other voting technology prior to an election. In addition to casting mock ballots on the eSlate, participants were given information on the voting process. This included information on registration, identification, polling location and absentee ballots. A resource handout disseminating other voter resources was provided for participants to take home. Participants were asked to review a survey about the effectiveness of the training experience after they had voted in an election.
The eSlate machine is an accessible, assistive technology device that provides auditory output with visual prompting.

Findings to Date
EMPOWERMENT Participants were able to voice their concerns to city officials regarding the struggles they encounter when attempting to vote and were able to provide primary information for positive and workable solutions. Participants discussed the ease of using the eSlate voting machine after receiving training and reported feelings of empowerment because they were not limited by difficulties such as reading, accessibility, and confusing ballot forms. After training, several participants registered to vote, checked their voting status, and inquired about early voting opportunities. City officials valued this experience just as greatly as the participants and offered to provide voter training and education once a month through October 2012.

Discussion
The first training session in February yielded a few unexpected outcomes. What was meant to be an opportunity to train people with disabilities on how to use voting technology was enriched by self-advocates voicing their opinions to the county on how to make their voting experience better. Both parties gained better knowledge and understanding. It was decided that submitting for IRB approval was necessary after listening to the selfadvocates communicate their opinions and provide impactful and meaningful insight into the voter experience for people with disabilities . In order to obtain this information in a documented manner it was necessary to devise a survey. The expert panel of self-advocates provided survey validation to help determine the appropriateness of the survey format and quality of questions. Furthermore, they provided feedback as to the quality of our handouts and flyers ensuring they were disability friendly.

Objectives
This project aims to increase participation of voters with developmental disabilities by providing training on use of the eSlate, as well as providing general information on voting resources: To EMPOWER people with disabilities to vote To help promote confidence in voting through both technology training and providing non-partisan information To provide hands on technology training within the community

People with disabilities must have access to training and support for technology use (McNaughton & Breyen, 2007).

While assistive technology, such as the eSlate, is necessary for people with disabilities to participate in the political process, lack of knowledge about how to use it, is a major barrier to taking advantage of these devices (Harris, 2011).

Next Steps
Schedule training sessions through October 2012 prior to the November Presidential election Recruit participants via flyer for summer sessions Create binder for continuity with future LEND groups Investigate larger voter trainings for October 2012 Receive IRB approval Begin survey validation

Even the alternative voting methods or accommodations states provide, may still present problems for voters with disabilities (United States General Accounting Office, 2001).

Lower voter participation is a silent threat to our democracy.... It underrepresents people who are young, poor, disabled, those with little education, minorities and you and me. Nancy N, Writer http://www.cay202detroit.org/

Acknowledgements
A Special Thanks to Essie Pederson and the expert panel of Self-Advocates and community members and Amy Searcy and the Hamilton County Board of Elections Office