Vicki McGahee PAVA Coordinator

 Polling Place Accessibility Survey  Data collection  Survey results  Post survey

 Basic accessible features needed by voters with disabilities: ◦ Parking ◦ Entrance to the polling place ◦ Voting area ◦ Curbside voting ◦ Availability of assistance ◦ Accessible ballots

 A non-partisan coalition dedicated to increasing the numbers of people with disabilities who vote through voter education and improved access to the voting process

 More than 36 member organizations  Chaired by P&A ◦ AARP ◦ League of Women Voters ◦ SC Association of the Deaf ◦ SC Autism Society ◦ The ARC of SC ◦ National Alliance on Mental Illness ◦ Office of the Governor – DD Council ◦ United Way ◦ Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging ◦ SC Special Olympics ◦ Statewide Independent Living Council ◦ USC Center for Disability Resources ◦ SC Assistive Technology Program

 SC DisAbility Voting Coalition  United Way  P&A’s website - Pandasc.org  Facebook  Surveymonkey

 296 surveys completed  23 (50%) of the 46 counties  53 (18%) were completed by voters with disabilities

 76% - Accessible parking spaces with visible signs  15% - No accessible parking spaces  25% - No accessible parking spaces for vans  20% - Accessible parking spaces not on the shortest route

 37% - No sign  44% - Not monitored

 82 - No sign at polling place and one was needed  22 - Doorways were not wide enough  11% - No clear and level route of travel  13% - Ramp was not stable, was too steep, and did not have handrails

 32% - No place to rest  22% - No information at eye level  12% - Path of travel not free from barriers  12% - Area not arranged for easy movement  9% - Voting area not clear

 Access to assistance  Access to accessible formats

 Poll workers have the training needed to work effectively with all voters, especially people with disabilities.  Polling places are accessible to all voters – from the parking lot to the voting machines.  Curbside voting is implemented consistently at all precincts and poll workers are provided needed training on the implementation.  Every precinct has the required number of poll workers to assist all voters.

 Released P&A report – 12/10/12  Meetings with SC Election Commission  SC DisAbility Voting Coalition ◦ Curbside Voting ◦ Early Voting

Vicki McGahee PAVA Coordinator 3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208 Columbia, SC (office) (toll-free) (TTY)