Group Launches Effort to Empower Voters with Disabilities Ahead of November Election Following Court Ruling

Phoenix — As the November general election approaches, Arizona is taking important steps to ensure that voters with disabilities are fully equipped to participate in the political process.

On Monday, First Place AZ and the Foundation for Blind Children co-hosted Spark the Spectrum, a session to provide voters with disabilities with the knowledge and resources they need on Election Day.

The program, which coincided with National Voter Registration Day, aimed to educate registrants about voting equipment, accommodations, and the general voting process. It also acted as a reminder of the voter registration deadline, which is October 7.

“We are incredibly proud to be partners in this initiative to help increase awareness about voter registration and voter accessibility,” said Jared Kittelson, CEO of the Foundation for Blind Children. “Access for some is unacceptable; it is about access for all.” There is strength in all of us working in the same direction and supporting one another.

The session comes at a critical juncture, following the Arizona Court of Appeals’ decision in Wood v. Coconino in May. The verdict stated that those under guardianship should not immediately lose their voting rights, which was a significant departure from earlier policies that had disenfranchised many disabled voters.

“I want to know when my ballot will arrive so that I can fill it out and mail it in, because voting is so important, and I believe that is the best way I can serve my country,” said Harry Goralnik, a registered voter with disabilities.

The Maricopa County Elections Department provides many accessible voting options, such as large print and Braille ballots, which can be obtained at the website request. Maricopa. vote. Furthermore, in-person voters can use an accessible voting device at any of the more than 240 polling places for the forthcoming election.

The gadget includes a touch screen or controller, contrast screen settings, and a Braille-enabled, audio-tactile interface controller for a secure and independent voting experience.

Spark the Spectrum voter centers offer accessible voting gadgets to assist voters with impairments in understanding the voting process.
Denise D. Resnik, founder, president, and CEO of First Place AZ, underlined that, while this election year is significant, it is as vital to focus on ongoing challenges affecting neurodivergent people. “We want to make sure that you understand that this is an important election year, but so is the continuation of how we look at the spectrum of autism, disabilities, and the spectrum between red and blue,” Resnik told the audience during a panel debate.

With over 110,000 autistic children entering adulthood in the United States each year, First Place AZ believes that understanding their voting rights is critical for these persons and their support networks.

The Spark the Spectrum session is part of First Place AZ’s Vote the Spectrum program, which debuted in October 2023 to help people with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities navigate the voting process. Monday’s session is Vote the Spectrum’s third accessible voting training this year.

Jenniffer Jarvis, Epic Disability Advocacy’s co-founder and head of operations, discussed her connection to the event. She described her family’s efforts to acquire voting rights for their son Josh, who is under full care.

Despite opposition from others, she and her family were eager to demonstrate that Josh could pass the Arizona civics test, which was a critical step toward preserving his ability to vote.

“This wasn’t just about passing a test, it was about proving Josh’s knowledge and skills to be an engaged citizen,” she told me. After months of preparation, Josh received a 96% on the test.

However, the journey did not stop there. Despite their efforts, the court denied their bid to maintain Josh’s voting rights, citing full guardianship as the reason.

“Josh’s story is just one example of a broader challenge, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have their voices heard, especially when it comes to fundamental rights like voting,” Jarvis told CNN.