[Nfbofnc] Assistance if You Have Trouble Voting Independently and Privately

[Gary H. Ray]

>From Gary Ray:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org
 
National Federation of the Blind Launches 
"Project VIP" to Help Blind Voters on Election Day
Voting Specialists Will Provide Advice and Assistance to Blind Voters
 
Baltimore, Maryland (October 21, 2008): The National Federation of the
Blind, the nation's leading advocate for the voting rights of blind people,
announced today that it is launching Project VIP (Voting with Independence
and Privacy), a toll-free hotline that will be available to blind voters
across the United States on Election Day.  The purpose of the hotline is to
help blind voters who are experiencing problems voting independently and
privately as required by the Help America Vote Act.  The National Federation
of the Blind will have voting specialists on call to provide support to
blind voters who call from their polling locations and to assist in
troubleshooting problems with nonvisual voting technology.  If a blind voter
is unable to vote independently and privately, the voting specialists will
record details such as the city, state, and polling location.  The
information from situations that cannot be resolved during a phone call to
the Project VIP hotline will be referred to the proper authorities for
follow-up action.
 
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"There is no right that is more fundamental in a democratic nation than the
right to vote, and the 2008 presidential election is the first election in
which blind Americans are guaranteed the right to cast their vote for
president independently and privately.  The National Federation of the Blind
is setting up Project VIP to ensure that every blind voter can exercise this
historic and invaluable right, for which blind Americans have fought and
will continue to protect."
 
On November 4, blind voters who experience problems voting independently and
privately are urged to call 877-NFB-1940 (877-632-1940) from 7 a.m. to 10
p.m. (EST).  The voting specialists answering this number will assist the
blind voter and/or the poll worker in resolving the issue.  Voters are urged
to call directly from their polling location to resolve voting issues rather
than simply reporting problems after they occur.  
 
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About the National Federation of the Blind
 
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.  Please
visit our Web site: www.nfb.org.