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Presenter(s)
Molly M. Stevens
User Insight, Inc.
115 Perimeter Center Place Suite 440
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
Day Phone: (770) 391-1099X108
Fax: (770) 391-1096
Email: mstevens@userinsight.com
A panel of accessibility and elections experts discusses the positive and negative impacts that new technology has had on voting access for people with disabilities
Introduction
Access to voting is one of the fundamental rights in a democracy, yet for the average American it is often difficult to register, find your polling place and finally cast your ballot. Adding to this the struggles of a person with a disability, then there are multiple significant barriers to exercising one's civic duty. Since the 2000 presidential election, issues of voting technology (both traditional and digital) have come to the attention of the general public. In the months and years since, there has been a policy push toward the use of new technology to improve accuracy, consistency and access. The rush to digital technology focuses on technologies such as the internet (1) and touch-screen machines, raising issues of the impact to access for citizens affected by the digital divide as well as people with disabilities of any kind.
One example of some policies seeking to change the status quo is the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)(2) passed in 2002. The HAVA law provides funding for the purchase of newer computerized systems to replace punch card or lever voting machines. These systems raise controversy on several levels, but particularly on issues of security and accessibility(3). There have been cases, however, of new technology providing increased access to people with disabilities. For example in Hawaii where accessible machines can accommodate a private vote for a wide variety of disabilities(4). These include audio for the visually impaired, touch-screen for the hearing impaired, and "sip and puff" voting for people with limited or no use of their hands.
The panel is designed to address some of the following questions, as well as any additional issues that may become apparent during the upcoming 2004 presidential election.
What has been the positive impact of new technology? What has been the negative impact? What kinds of legal challenges have been mounted to the inaccessible technologies? Have they been successful? Why or why not? How has HAVA been implemented/funded and how has this impacted the technologies chosen? What kinds of guidelines are states using to choose and implement technologies? What are the most effective technologies? What (if any) events during the 2004 election have had an effect on the future of these technologies? What are the next steps in voting technology and access? What can we do to make progress on these topics?
Proposed Panel Moderator
Molly M. Stevens, M.S. IDT, User Insight, Inc. Ms. Stevens brings considerable experience and talent as a user experience designer, with an emphasis on user-centered design, usability and accessibility. She has worked diligently to improve the accessibility of applications within both for- and non-profit corporations. Her international experience of traveling and working, particularly in Ireland and Germany, provides her with understanding that encompasses a global range of perspectives. Proposed Panelists (pending confirmation) Due to the current events nature of this panel we propose panelist similar to the individuals listed below. However we believe that there could and should be an opportunity to make replacements, if necessary, because of potential events in November of this year.
Ms. Jennifer A Bilotta
Ms. Bilotta is a leader in the instruction and implementation of web accessibility. For the past 4 years, she has focused studies on all areas of access both in academia and industry, refining the practical application of Section 508 accessibility standards to existing and new web content and desktop applications. Her graphic design background and her thorough knowledge of web technologies and accessibility best practices give her the unique ability to seamlessly integrate high-end aesthetics and accessibility features. Ms. Bilotta has presented papers and courses on the topic of Inclusive/Accessible Design both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Curtis D. Edmonds
Mr. Curtis D. Edmonds is the Education and Technology Specialist for the Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC). The Southeast DBTAC is a project of the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degreefrom Baylor University and a law degree from the University of Texas. He has authored two law review articles on Americans with Disabilities Act issues for The Review of Litigation and the Texas Tech Law Review. Previous experience includes coordinating ADA training and technical assistance for state agencies, colleges, universities and businesses in Texas, and authoring ADA technical assistance materials. Current responsibilities include providing training and technical assistance on information technology access for educational entities in the Southeast region.
Mr. Vincent Keenan
Mr. Vincent Keenan is responsible for the voter information website, Publius.org, an organization of which he is the Founder and CTO. Publius is a non-partisan non-profit organization established in 1996 and rooted in the idea that the Internet possesses enormous potential to inform and thereby empower citizens and promote vigorous and active participation in American democracy. In 2003 the Publius application was nominated for a Webby Award in Law and Government alongside NASA and the United Nations. In September 2003, Vince was named one of the "25 people Changing The Internet and Politics" by the 4th World Forum on e-Democracy and PoliticsOnline. Keenan is currently negotiating with the State of Michigan to fund and implement Section 508 accessibility standards on the website.
Mr. Arthur R. Murphy
Arthur R. Murphy is an Information Architect in IBM's Atlanta e-business Innovation Center. Mr. Murphy's thirty years of computer experience includes ten years of software design, a decade of teaching, two years of multimedia creation, and five years experience in Internet development. Mr. Murphy's current work in information architecture is informed by his expertise in issues of accessibility. His work within the domain of rehabilitation includes membership on the 1998-1999 Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee of the Access Board http://www.access-board.gov/ that developed the Section 508 accessibility standards for the Federal Government.
Mr. Daniel O'Connor
Mr. Dan O'Connor, is a counselor for Jacksonville's Center for Independent Living and president of the Jacksonville Council of the Blind. Mr. O'Connor has recently been a plaintiff in a lawsuit which charged Duval County elections officials with discrimination against people with disabilities when they purchased inaccessible ballot equipment in 2001.
References
1. "The case for internet voting", Communications of the ACM, Vol. 44, Iss. 1 January 2001, Pages: 72 - 85.
2. Text of the HAVA law, http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/hava/HAVA_2002.html
3. "Judge: Duval County's voting process violates disabilities act", March 29, 2004 http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032904/met_ruling.shtml
4. The Hawaii Office of Elections web page, http://www.state.hi.us/elections/
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