For Immediate Release! <\/p>\n
October 1, 2008 <\/p>\n
Media Contact: Stephen Charles Baldwin, Texas Association of the
\nDeaf, steve@deaftexas.org
\n or Nathaniel Klugman, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities,
\n512-478-3366. <\/p>\n
Fun, Food, Homecoming, and an Opportunity to Register to Vote in the
\n2008 National Elections: All during the Pre-Game Event at Texas School
\nfor the Deaf (TSD)! <\/p>\n
Alumni, faculty, students, parents and guests can register to vote in
\nthe 2008 elections during the pre-game homecoming event at Texas
\nSchool for the Deaf on October 4th. The Texas Association of the Deaf
\nwill host the registration drive in their booth from 10:00 am to 4:30
\npm before the anticipated game begins. \u201cVoting is necessary for a
\ncommunity to progress,\u201d said Stephen Charles Baldwin, President of
\nTexas Association of the Deaf based in Austin. \u201cWhen I spoke with
\nTracey Michol about her workshop in Fort Worth and the training
\nconducted throughout Texas by the Coalition for Texans with
\nDisabilities and Advocacy, Inc., I felt we needed to be involved.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to the Coalition for Texans with Disabilities, less than
\n34% of voting aged people with disabilities voted in the last
\npresidential election compared to 51% of the able bodied population.
\n\u201cWhen Tracey told us about the invitation from Texas Association of
\nthe Deaf, we jumped at the opportunity,\u201d said Dennis Borel,
\nExecutive Director of Coalition for Texans with Disabilities based in
\nAustin. \u201cWe are working with Advocacy Inc. conducting workshops for
\npeople with disabilities around the state. We are impressed with the
\ninterest, the concern and the expected attendance. We are hoping this
\ntranslates into votes in November.\u201d <\/p>\n
The deadline to register to vote is October 6. Anyone who does not
\nregister to vote by this deadline will not be allowed to vote in this
\nhistoric National Election on November 4. Historic, not only because
\nof the candidates running for President, but also because the
\ncommunities of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, disabilities and special needs
\nhave an opportunity to make a difference. \u201cThis is an opportune time
\nto focus more on abilities,\u201d said Regina Blye, Executive Director of
\nthe Statewide Independent Living Council based in Austin. \u201cWhen we
\nfocus on abilities, it is easier for us to see how we and others can
\nmake a difference in our communities.\u201d <\/p>\n
Cheryl Reese the Volunteer Coordinator with Travis County Voter
\nRegistration Division in Austin, Texas and a group of volunteers will
\nbe on hand to register people to vote. \u201cWhen Tracey called us and
\nexplained what she needed, we quickly realized the opportunity to
\nassist individuals needing to register before the October 6th
\ndeadline, said Reese. \u201cThe expected attendance is well over 2000 for
\nthis event. There will be plenty of potential voters who may not have
\nhad a chance to make necessary changes to their voter registration
\ncard or didn’t know where to go to register. Texas has 254 counties,
\nand we are all trying to do our part. Travis County Voter Registration
\nin Austin Texas, Nelda Wells Spears, Voter Registrar, is glad to lend
\nour support and assist in this registration effort.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tracey Michol\u2019s experience as a delegate to the Democratic
\nConvention led to her organizing a voting workshop in Fort Worth,
\nTexas, a blog site at http:\/\/yourvotecounts.wordpress.com
\n and receiving an invitation to register people to vote in the Texas
\nAssociation of the Deaf booth during the pre-game event at the Texas
\nSchool for the Deaf Homecoming. Attendees can practice using the
\nvoting machine used in Texas, learn about voting rights and voting
\noptions, and enjoy good food and an exciting game, all on a Saturday
\nwith friends and family. Be sure to bring your Texas or personal ID to
\nconfirm your name, date of birth and address. <\/p>\n
A special thanks to Texas School for the Deaf Superintendent Claire
\nBugen for her support and participation. Superintendent Bugen is
\npleased to be a part of this civic event and to make the TSD
\ninterpreters available for deaf and hearing voters as they visit and
\nenjoy the festivities of homecoming at TSD. Many thanks to
\nSuperintendent Bugen for making this opportunity possible. <\/p>\n
-30-<\/p>\n
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For Immediate Release! October 1, 2008 Media Contact: Stephen Charles Baldwin, Texas Association of the Deaf, steve@deaftexas.org or Nathaniel Klugman, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities, 512-478-3366. Fun, Food, Homecoming, and an Opportunity to Register to Vote in the 2008 National…<\/p>\n