[Ohio-talk] Inspire IVSLLC Accessible Voting

Wed Jul 24 17:39:46 UTC 2013

Suzanne, 
First, congratulations to you and to all of us that Eric had the wisdom to
assign you this task!  Ohio is well represented!  
Secondly, I have just now taken the time to test both of these telephone
systems, and find them refreshingly simple, almost brilliant.  
Since the inception of accessible machines with the HAVA some ten years ago,
I have had multiple frustrations at the polls.  The workrs don't know how to
use the machines.  The machines in Hamilton Coutny are junky.  One election
day, I found out after casting my ballot that three workers had stood behind
me with the eagerness of children, and witnessed my entire selection
process!  How's that for private?  
At any rate, I find these phone systems to be a truly clever and simple
solution.  As you said, everyone uses the phone and knows the keypad.  The
voice selected has a good quality for most hearing ranges, and the options
are clearly stated.  Once familiar with the system, it iseasy to move
through the choices and steps with far less tedium than the accessible
machines used in my county!  
I especially liked the ability to review one's ballot at the end and, in one
of the systems, to review yet again after printing.  I love this, since I
admit that I have often felt a tad paranoid as to whether my vote was
counted!  
I do think that a speed control would be an extremely useful addition.  Many
experienced listeners will want the voice to go faster.  
To echo Sheri's comment about public voting, I, too, have aways felt it
extremely important -- and a bit thrilling -- to go into my polling place to
cast my ballot.  It is cool that that element, too, is obviously
incorporated into these New England systems since the instruction is for the
poll worker to hand the phone to the voter, thus the voting is expected to
be done at the polling place.  
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to explore this excellent
alternative, which I hope comes to ohio!  
One final and gentle comment from me, hoping not to sound like the word
police, but you have used the homonym for poll.  We vote at the p-o-l-l, ot
the p-o-l-e!
Again, congratulations and thank you for all you do!
Deborah
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sheri
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 12:49 PM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Inspire IVSLLC Accessible Voting

Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for taking on this endeavor.
I just tested the Vermont system. It was very clear and concise. The only
tricky part would be if one were to write in a candidate. That process
seemed a bit cumbersome, but doable.
Anyway, the only strange thing I noticed while I was going through the
ballot was that I was not actually at the polling station. I do find some
sort of excitement voting independently in public! (Wow, is there a weird
psychological name for that?) Thanks, Sheri Albers

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne
Turner
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 3:47 PM
To: ohio-talk at nfbnet.org; Delcenia at prodigy.net; wo.turner5 at sbcglobal.net;
rchpay7 at sbcglobal.com; Brooke Dowdy; Stats Ky Bey; Moreed Kamal; Nicole
Kahn; Randy L. Knapp; Stanley Griffin; Cathy Javorsky; Annette Jakse; Mary
Jo Chisnell
Cc: Anthony R. Easley
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Inspire IVSLLC Accessible Voting

Good Afternoon,

I have been appointed by the President of NFB of Ohio, Eric Duffy as the
Voting Affiliate Liaison for Ohio.  I was honored and proud to be selected
and take this position with high regard.

On June 20, 2013, I was part of a National Conference Call held by the
Chairperson, Lue Ann Blake who is the Director of Outreach at Jernigan
Institute for The NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND.  She introduced herself
and explained the purpose of the project.  This initiative is to ensure
equality for the blind at area poles across the United States.

Most States were represented and great ideas were shared in order to
effectively provide voter outreach and knowledge of resources that are not
offered in every state.  One of the most interesting pieces of equipment
afforded to only a few states is IVSLLC.  This tool is driven by a simple
telephone that may or may not have a fax machine attached to it in order to
print out the ballad.  IVS is used in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and
Connecticut.

As I understand, most of Ohio's poles are accessible.  However, sensitivity
training is quite necessary and a high alert.  Therefore, Eric has spoken to
me in reference to working with the Governor's Advisory Board for persons
with disabilities to inquire if this is also of a concern for them of
providing awareness for their pole workers.  More information will be up
coming.

What struck me about this system is it seems to be a way for seniors, those
with limited cognitive ability, those who are newly blind and others to
participate in the voting process.  Also, I realized that the phone is a
universal method for most to communicate with and it does offer a sense of
privacy, dignity and liberation.  We all use the phone system for just about
everything.  The keypad is common, practical and easy on the touch.

Below you will find two different accessible voting resources that have
become innovative and efficient to provide independency.  There are two
numbers for you to test your ability by way of voting on a telephone.
Please provide information if you think this is a system that Ohio would
benefit from.  They are demos.  I tried them and found the IVSLLC from
Vermont to be quite effective.  This system sends your completed ballad to
the Secretary of State directly.  The other system prints out at a fax
machine showing the completed ballad.  This phone method is used in Maine,
Connecticut and New Hampshire.

You would need to input the Pole Number and Access Code, which is provided
for you below.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!!

Suzanne Turner,
Affiliate Voters Liaison for NFB of Ohio

IVSLLC in Vermont
Telephone Number: 888-661-6366
Pole Number: 1234
Access Code: 101

Fax Demo for New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut A fax at every poling
location
Telephone: 866-979-3900
Pole Number: 1234
Access Code: 101

Suzanne Turner, BSW, MPA
Employment Coordinator and Benefit Specialist

Cleveland Sight Center
216-791-8118 (main)
216-658-7350 (direct)
216-791-1101 (fax)
sturner at ClevelandSightCenter.org <mailto:sturner at ClevelandSightCenter.org>

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216.658.4562

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