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New Orleans – Voters with disabilities face many barriers in exercising a fundamental civil right: the right to vote. In June 2010, the Advocacy Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of voters in Jefferson Parish alleging its failure to offer neighborhood polling places that are accessible to voters with disabilities. This lawsuit originated in a polling place accessibility complaint from a Jefferson parish voter, Denise Drake, who has significant physical disabilities.
According to Susan Meyers, Managing Attorney at the Advocacy Center, “Access to polling places and to the political process is a fundamental part of citizenship in this country, and no one should be excluded from that simply because she has a disability.”
On August 28, 2010, voters can call the Advocacy Center to report problems or get help with their voting issues from 6 am to 8 pm- 1-800-960-7705 (Voice) or 1-866-935-7348 (TTY) or advocacycenter@advocacyla.org. Advocacy Center staff are available to help voters locate their polling places, review their ballots, address accessibility issues and troubleshoot other disability-related problems.
“We are committed to ensuring people with disabilities are able to vote on Election Day,” said Stephanie Patrick, director of the Advocacy Center’s voting rights programs. “Our staff is specially trained to answer questions and address disability issues. In addition, we can assist voters in filing complaints and addressing systematic barriers.”
New Orleans – Voters with disabilities face many barriers in exercising a fundamental civil right: the right to vote. In June 2010, the Advocacy Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of voters in Jefferson Parish alleging its failure to offer neighborhood polling places that are accessible to voters with disabilities. This lawsuit originated in a polling place accessibility complaint from a Jefferson parish voter, Denise Drake, who has significant physical disabilities.
According to Susan Meyers, Managing Attorney at the Advocacy Center, “Access to polling places and to the political process is a fundamental part of citizenship in this country, and no one should be excluded from that simply because she has a disability.”
On August 28, 2010, voters can call the Advocacy Center to report problems or get help with their voting issues from 6 am to 8 pm- 1-800-960-7705 (Voice) or 1-866-935-7348 (TTY) or advocacycenter@advocacyla.org. Advocacy Center staff are available to help voters locate their polling places, review their ballots, address accessibility issues and troubleshoot other disability-related problems.
“We are committed to ensuring people with disabilities are able to vote on Election Day,” said Stephanie Patrick, director of the Advocacy Center’s voting rights programs. “Our staff is specially trained to answer questions and address disability issues. In addition, we can assist voters in filing complaints and addressing systematic barriers.”
