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Episode 77: Making Our Elections Accessible: Equal Access for Voters with Disabilities

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

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Episode 77 Resources: Making Our Elections Accessible: Equal Access for Voters with Disabilities

Recording & Transcripts

Soundcloud

Transcripts

Speaker

Jennifer Levin, Senior Attorney, Disability Law Colorado

Description

One of the most important rights of United States citizens is the right to vote. Although U.S. citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation; people with disabilities are at risk of exclusion from this core aspect of citizenship (Source:  The White House: Elections & Voting).

Join us for this episode of ADA Live! as we discuss voting access for people with disabilities with Jennifer Levin, Senior Attorney with Disability Law Colorado. Ms. Levin will share the role of Protection and Advocacy in ensuring equal access and, specifically, the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) initiative. Federal laws regarding voting access, and the protections they provide, will be discussed as well as best practices and policies some states have adopted to ensure equal access for all voters.

By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens’ interests. As we move closer to the 2020 state primaries and Presidential election, the Southeast ADA Center and the ADA National Network, along with our national, regional and state partners, are focusing on voting access. This topic corresponds to the themes celebrating the 30th ADA anniversary.

Resources

  1. The White House: Elections & Voting
    Link: whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/elections-voting/
  2. ADA Anniversary Monthly Themes
    Link: adaanniversary.org/month_themes

Featured Organization

Disability Law Colorado
Disability Law Colorado is part of Colorado’s Protection and Advocacy system. Since 1976, Disability Law Colorado has protected and promoted the rights of people with disabilities and older people in Colorado through direct legal representation, advocacy, education and legislative analysis.

We are committed to increasing opportunities for adults and children with disabilities to live, work and attend school in the community, enjoying independent and productive lives. We also protect the right of people in institutions to be treated with dignity and respect.

Disability Law Colorado has helped more than 25,000 people with disabilities through direct legal representation. You can find out more about Disability Law Colorado by visiting: www.disabilitylawco.org