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Articles

  • About Voting Access Rights
    What does the right to vote mean for people with disabilities? How can polling sites accommodate people with different types of disabilities? This article answers these questions and more.
  • The ADA and Title II Public Entities
    The ADA ensures access by people with disabilities to buildings, facilities, programs, services, and activities offered by state and local governments.
  • What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
    The ADA defines disability and has five titles (sections) that forbid a wide range of discrimination.

Fact Sheets

Ask About the ADA

Infographics

Help America Vote Act

Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center with an image of a sandwich board sign. The sign says Vote Here, and it shows an American flag and a universal accessibility symbol. “If I have a disability, what does the Help America Vote Act of 2002 provide for me? A polling site must have a voting machine that provides an equal chance for me to vote privately and independently.” Voter Share on Facebook

Assistance to cast a vote

Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center that consists primarily of large text. The text says: If I have a disability, can I have assistance to cast my vote? The Voting Rights Act of 1965 permits a voter to have someone help them while voting. The only person not allowed to help is their employer, or an agent of their employer or union. Share on Facebook

ADA and accessible voting

Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center showing people with disabilities in a gym; one of them holds a sign that says vote. Big text over the image says: “What does the Americans with Disabilities Act say about voting? Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make their programs accessible to people with disabilities through physical access and reasonable modifications. They must also provide auxiliary aids and services.” Voter Share on Facebook

Because of the ADA

Infographic titled 'Because of the ADA.' The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including access to jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places that are open to the general public. The law is divided into five titles (or areas) where the various protections for people with disabilities are spelled out. The goal of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Here are just a few of the positive effects that can be observed today, all because of the ADA. Are you going out into the community? You can park in an accessible parking space. You can take an accessible bus. You can easily enter stores because of a curb ramp and doors that are accessible. You can navigate through stores along a clear path of travel. Signage at areas like bathrooms is clear and concise with raised characters and Braille. Drinking fountains are accessible. The checkout counter and service counters you encounter are lower and more accessible. You can bring your service animal with you. Are you going to the movies? theaters offer assisted listening devices to help you hear better. Are you making a phone call? You can use a relay service to assist you with communication. Are you going to a concert or sporting event? You have access to wheelchair accessible seats alongside your friends and family. Are you going to work? You can request a change in how things are typically done from your employer, called a reasonable accommodation, to assist you with work tasks. Are you going to vote or to a town meeting? Your polling place and municipal programs, offices and meetings must be accessible to you. Are you going to the Doctor? You can request an interpreter to communicate more efficiently. You can request medical information in a manner that works for you. Nearly 37 million people in our country have a disability and nearly 25% of today's 20 year olds will experience disability in their lifetime. (ADA National Network, ADA Anniversary Toolkit) 'This Act is powerful in its simplicity. it will ensure that people with disabilities are given the basic guarantees for which they have worked so long and hard. Independence, freedom of choice, control of their own lives, the opportunity to blend fully and equally into the rich mosaic of the American mainstream.' -President George H.W. Bush, ADA Signing Ceremony, July 26, 1990 Share on Facebook

Accessible Ballots

'Accessible Ballots' The voting process must be accessible to all. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, state and local governments must provide auxiliary aids and services to voters with disabilities. Under the Help America Vote Act, every polling site must have at least one accessible voting machine that offers non-visual access while providing privacy and independence. If you have questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact us at 1-800-949-4232. Share on Facebook

Accessible polling sites for voters

Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center that consists primarily of large text. The text says: “Do polling sites need to be accessible for people with disabilities? Federal election polling sites must be physically accessible, or if this is not possible, a site must offer other ways of casting a ballot. This requirement is from the Voting and Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984. Share on Facebook

Blog Posts

  • Explainer: Accessible Absentee Voting in NYS
    May 10, 2022
    Joe Zesski of the Northeast ADA Center explains the role technology can play in accommodating voters with disabilities. It's the law in New York state that voters must be permitted to vote privately...
  • What Does Access to Voting Mean?
    September 30, 2019
    In a recent September 25 webinar, Access to Voting, I discussed some of the laws protecting the right of people with disabilities to vote, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Hel...
  • #Thanks to the ADA—Puerto Rico
    July 29, 2020
    As we approach the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, many people are celebrating how far we have come, as well as reflecting on how far we still have to go. The Northeast ADA Center is part of the ADA Nati...
  • Disability and Employment Discrimination Laws in the US Virgin Islands
    September 30, 2019
    By: Archie Jennings Archie Jennings is the lead attorney for the Northeast ADA Center’s US Virgin Island affiliate, the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. He was asked to write a...

News