[NFB_of_Georgia] Fwd: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] Lawsuit Brings Equity to Blind Voters Registering to Vote

Mon Feb 25 18:29:51 UTC 2019

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 25, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Subject: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] Lawsuit Brings Equity to Blind
Voters Registering to Vote
To: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>
Cc: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Lawsuit Brings Equity to Blind Voters Registering to Vote

*Settlement Is Most Comprehensive Ever to Make Voter Registration and
Election Information Accessible to Millions of Blind Voters*

*New York (February 25, 2019):* Blind voters in New York will now have
access to websites operated by the State Board of Elections (BOE) and the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In a settlement just reached by blind
voters, advocates, and the two state agencies, the BOE and the DMV have
agreed to ensure fully accessible voter registration by the end of 2019.
The agreement resolves a *lawsuit brought in 2016
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-and-others-sue-new-york-over-inaccessible-online>*
by the *National Federation of the Blind <https://nfb.org>* (NFB), the
Center for the Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), and two
individual blind plaintiffs, Eva Eason and Meghan Parker. The plaintiffs
were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union Disability Rights
Program, Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP, and Disability Rights Advocates.

Plaintiffs in this lawsuit had tried repeatedly to register to vote online—a
process that should be both easier and more confidential than a trip to the
DMV. However, both websites presented barriers to those who use
screen-reader software—a common type of assistive technology that allows
blind users to hear text and navigate websites. Other portions of the DMV
and BOE websites were also inaccessible—including important information on
polling places, election information, and voting results.

Eva Eason, plaintiff, said, “I am thrilled that we have settled the suit
and increased understanding of the importance of accessible web formats. It
is my fundamental right to access and navigate websites as freely as my
sighted counterparts. No voter should be overlooked by the state. Every
vote must count. This is long overdue.”

Under the agreement, the BOE and the DMV will make their websites
accessible to screen-access software within two years. They will also work
with an accessibility consultant and put in place practices and procedures
to ensure that the websites stay accessible in the long term. A federal
court publicly approved the settlement last week.

“Voting is one of the most precious rights that we have as citizens, and
while it culminates in the casting of a ballot in an election, it involves
much more,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of
the Blind. “We commend the New York State Board of Elections and Department
of Motor Vehicles for recognizing that the privacy and independence of
blind voters are no less important than those of other voters, and we look
forward to working with these agencies to make voter registration and
access to critical information fully accessible to blind New Yorkers. We
further hope that other state election officials will take note of this
historic and comprehensive agreement as they work to ensure the rights of
their blind voters.”

Susan M. Dooha, executive director of the CIDNY, said, “For people who are
blind, an inaccessible website is voter suppression. We are proud to have
brought about an agreement with the NYS BOE and DMV…This shows that the
state can eliminate barriers that prevent the enfranchisement of people
with disabilities.”

*###*

*About the National Federation of the Blind*

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org>.

*About Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY)*

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY’s goal is to ensure full
integration, independence, and equal opportunity for all people with
disabilities by removing barriers to the social, economic, cultural, and
civic life of the community. Learn more about our work at cidny.org
<http://www.cidny.org>.

*About Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)*
With offices in New York and California, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)
is one of the leading non-profit disability rights legal centers in the
nation. DRA’s mission is to advance equal rights and opportunities for
people with all types of disabilities nationwide. As a part of that
mission, DRA has entered in settlements that both ensure greater voting
rights for people with disabilities, working to remedy inaccessible polling
sites in New York City and non-functioning ballot marking devices in
Alameda County, as well as greater internet access for the blind,
pressuring corporations to create and maintain websites that are accessible
to blind users.

*About the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)*

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and
communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a
nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, we
take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, party, or
side— we the people dare to create a more perfect union. We work to ensure
people with disabilities are part of that perfect union, and advocate for
full access to education, homes, health care, jobs, and the ballot. Learn
more at aclu.org.

*CONTACT*

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

410-659-9314, extension 2330

410-262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

Jess Powers

Communications and Education Director

Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY)

917-721-7699 (Cell)

jpowers at cidny.org

Christina Brandt-Young

Managing Attorney

Disability Rights Advocates

212-644-8644

cbrandt-young at dralegal.org

Ana Blinder

Communications Strategist

American Civil Liberties Union

646-905-8877

ablinder at aclu.org

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-- 
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.