For Immediate Release!
September 19, 2008
Media Contact:
Nathaniel Klugman, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities,
512-478-3366
Tracey Michol [email protected]
Voting Workshop for People with Disabilities & Special Needs!
On Monday, September 22nd at 4:30 PM in Fort Worth, Texas, anyone who
has a disability or special
need can attend a workshop to learn and experience what it may be
like when they go to the polls on
November 4th . According to the Coalition for Texans with
Disabilities, less than 34% of voting aged
people with disabilities voted in the last presidential election
compared to 51% of the able bodied
population. Workshops are being held throughout the State of Texas to
remedy this situation in the 2008
elections.
Workshop organizer Tracey Michol says one of the differences in this
workshop is motivation. Michol
served as a state party delegate in the primaries. “It was a great
educational and empowering experience,” signed Michol. “Everyone
should experience our democracy in action. It will strengthen your
resolve to participate.”
Michol is deaf and has voted in previous elections, but this one was
different. She was asked to be a
delegate. As she progressed through the selection process, it was
clear how little prepared our system was for someone like her.
Luckily, there were people who knew American Sign Language and some
who were interpreters. Most important, there were people who were
willing to work with her. It was OJT (on the job training) for
everyone. Her experience led Michol to organize a voting workshop.
“When Tracey told us about her idea, we jumped at the
opportunity,” said Dennis Borel, Executive
Director of Coalition for Texans with Disabilities based in Austin.
“We are working with Advocacy Inc.
conducting workshops for people with disabilities around the state.
We are impressed with the interest,
the concern and the expected attendance. We are hoping this
translates into votes in November.”
Elected officials and candidates from both sides of the aisle –
Democrats and Republicans – plan to
attend. “It is important for people to feel that they have access
to people who represent them,” signed
Michol. “It’s a comforting feeling when a candidate takes the
time to talk with you about issues that
concern you and about how best he or she can help.” There has been
good response from those invited.
Nonprofit organizations which support the disabilities community have
also been invited. An exhibit area
will be set up for them to speak to attendees about their programs
and services.
The voting training will be conducted by the Coalition for Texans
with Disabilities including information
on rights and voting options, a mock election, and practice on an
accessible voting machine used in
Tarrant County. Accessible voting technology permits people with
blindness, low vision, deafness,
mobility impairments and even quadriplegia to cast a private ballot.
American Sign Language interpreters will be provided, and the facility
is wheelchair accessible. Members of the disabilities community are
encouraged to attend as well as their supporters, campaign and polling
place workers, and those who are interested in issues facing the
disabilities community.
The workshop with be held on September 22nd beginning at 4:30 PM at
Arborlawn United Methodist
Church, located at 5001 Briarhaven Road in Fort Worth, Texas. It is
free. Refreshments are provided by
local businesses including Golden Corral on Hulen in Fort Worth.
Attendees will have an opportunity to
register to vote. Be sure to bring your Texas or personal ID to
confirm your name, address and date of
birth. Visit http://yourvotecounts.wordpress.com
for more information.
Download Press Release: (PDF format)
Click to access ft_worth_voting_pwd_media.pdf
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