Disabled individuals represent a huge electoral bloc, but often face barriers when it comes to voting. Access 2 Independence – a local non-profit lead by people with disabilities serving people with disabilities – and the Muscogee County Board of Elections have partnered to remove those barriers and make sure everyone’s voice is heard. 

Access 2 Independence hopes to mobilize the disability vote by offering free rides to the polls on Saturday, October 29 from 11AM – 3PM. Transportation on a handicap-accessible bus will be provided from the voters’ residents to the early polling location at the Citizens Service Center on Macon Road and back to the voters resident. 

The disability community has a huge stake in state and federal results of the November election. Justin Dart, the man often considered the father of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), famously and repeatedly said, “Vote as if your life depends on it — because it DOES!” 

“Every policy decision from employment to housing to transportation, to the funding of programs like Social Security and Medicare-Medicaid, are influenced by whom we elect,” said Access 2 Independence Executive Director Nichole Davis. “It’s so important to get our vote out there. Voting is how to use your voice.”

According to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voters with disabilities may be accompanied by, and receive assistance from another person of the voter’s choosing, in casting their ballot. This means the voter may have a friend, family member, poll worker, or anyone else assist them in the voting booth. 

“All polling locations will have a voting machine equipped to accommodate voters who do not require support from another individual but require assistive technology including those with visual impartments,” said Nancy Boren, executive director of elections and registration for Muscogee County. “These machines are equipped with headphones and a keypad. The ballot is read aloud, the voter uses the keypad to make their selection while the screen remains blank, allowing privacy and independence while voting,” said Boren.

Disabled voters including those with hearing, cognitive and physical impairments who want to sign up should call 706-405-2393 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule a ride. Davis asked that those requesting rides give their names and addresses, and the names of anyone accompanying them, so organizers can ensure enough seats are available. The deadline to reserve a ride is Tuesday, October 25.  

Access 2 Independence is a non-profit organization lead by people with disabilities serving people with disabilities. This unique non-residential center for independent living was created to provide people of all ages and with all types of disabilities with services, support and advocacy, to empower them to participate in the community and live independently. 

Visit www.columbusga.org/elections/ for more information.