Transcript Document
2002 Voting Systems Accessibility Standards David Baquis, U.S. Access Board Elections Accessibility Conference Friday, February 20, 2004 Trenton, New Jersey Scope of Topic • Scope of the Voting Systems Standards (VSS) should not be confused with the scope of the HAVA Law • These standards focus on the devices used for voting, not the polling place program or architectural accessibility • At this time, a voting system refers to a voting machine such as a DRE, but the language could cover new and emerging technologies Why Accessible Voting Systems? • According to NOD, approximately 40 million people with disabilities are of voting age. • According to a Harris Poll, approx 41% of people with disabilities voted in the 2000 Presidential election. (Compared with 51% of all adults.) • Most voting systems have been inaccessible to people with disabilities. These systems include: punch card, lever, optical scanner, and paper ballot. • In 2000, approx 1% of voting systems were DREs (computer systems – disability friendly) Barriers for People with Disabilities • According to a GAO report (10/01), 84% of polling places across the country were found to have a barrier that prevents a person with a disability from voting. • HAVA addresses the needs of physical, sensory and mental disabilities. It specifically mentions visual disability. Typical examples of challenges with voting systems have included: – Strength needed to operate mechanical controls – Dexterity needed to write – Sight needed to input information and verify a vote – Limited reach ranges for wheelchair users Role of the Access Board in VSS • Voting Systems Standards were issued by the Federal Elections Commission in April 2002 • Access Board provided informal guidance to the FEC during the development of the standards. • Access Board submitted public comments and testified before the FEC during a hearing. • Access Board continues to provide technical assistance on the interpretation of the standards. Technology-specific Access Board Experience • In addition to standards and guidelines for the built environment, the Access Board issues standards and guidelines for technology. • Specifically, it issued Guidelines for design of telecommunications products and services under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; • And it issued Standards for procurement of accessible electronic and information technology to help Federal agencies comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Accessibility Considerations Specific to VSS Development • Voters will not be expected to bring assistive technology with them to polling places and install them on machines. • Voters will have limited time during which to learn how to use the voting machines. • Voters will not be expected to remember how to operate the machine from one year to the next. Examples of VSS Accessibility Provisions • • • • • • • • Audio version of ballot content Response time Touchscreens and mechanically operated keys Volume control Color/contrast settings Hearing aid compatibility Forward, high and downward reach Secondary means of voter authentication Use of the VSS • The FEC VSS voluntary guidelines do not become standards unless the states require them as such. • The independent testing authorities (ITAs) are expected to use the 2002 VSS when evaluating voting systems. They have a standing invitation to meet with the Access Board. • The manufacturers are using the 2002 VSS in the design of new voting systems. However, they are faced with designing to both the FEC guidelines and state-specific requirements. Emerging Issues • The Elections Assistance Commission has the authority to issue new VSS. That work would begin with the EAC Technical Guidelines Development Committee and could take a while. • The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ) is in the process of developing engineering consensus standards for accessibility and usability of voting systems. This should not be confused with a “government” policy standard. It could be used as a basis for development of amended EAC VSS. What Can You Do? • Comply with requirement for one accessible voting system per polling place by 1996 • Include information about accessible voting machines in information dissemination to all stakeholders including people with disabilities • Include information about accessible voting machines in training to all stakeholders including elections officials and poll workers • Inquire whether technical assistance provide by disability groups and enforcement provided by P&A will consider voting systems access. Access Board role with the EAC • 2 members to serve on the Board of Advisors. Of the 37 members listed, we are the only federal agency represented that has a full-time mission dedicated to serving the needs of people with disabilities. • 2 members to serve on the Technical Guidelines Development Committee. Helpful Federal Agency Websites • Access Board: – http://www.access-board.gov – 800-872-2253 (voice) or 800-993-2822 (TTY) • http://fecweb1.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm (Federal Elections Commission) • http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/HAVA.htm (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) • http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/hava/hava.html (U.S. Department of Justice)