Etiquette and Sensitivity to Voters with Disabilities - PowerPoint Presentation

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Etiquette and Sensitivity to Voters with Disabilities

Poll Worker Training ProgramFlorida Department of State2015/2016Slide2

Aristotle

“If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.”Slide3

Program Goal

To ensure that each voter, regardless of ability, who chooses to exercise their right to vote has a positive voting experience, and to prepare you with information, skills, and guidance to: Respond appropriatelyRespond sensitivelyRespond respectfully.Slide4

Over

56 million Americans with some form of disability (Almost 1 in 5; 19%)Reference sources: U.S. Census Bureau; *2013 Disability Status Report –Florida; Cornell University, disabilitystatistics.orgFlorida Quick Stats (2013)*:Persons with disabilities 13.4% All ages (2,590,600) 4.8 % Persons 16 to 2010.6% Persons 21 to 6423.1% Persons 65 to 7447.9% Persons 75+Slide5

Overview

6 Basic GuidelinesPreparing the Polling PlaceBest Practices for Specific DisabilitiesSlide6

6 Basic Guidelines

Creating a culture of dignity and respectSlide7

1 – Use “People First” Language

Refer to the person first and the disability second.Each voter who enters the polling room is a person – first and foremost.People First language puts the person before the disability. Example: If a voter is deaf, she is a person with deafness - not a deaf person.

Avoid improper or outdated terms.He/She has a disability – instead of –

He/She

is disabled.

Persons with disabilities might use other language to describe themselves.

It is their choice and right to use whatever language they prefer.

You should continue to use People First language yourself.

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2 – Speak Directly to the Voter

Address and speak directly to the voter with the disability.A voter with a disability may choose to have a companion enter the polling booth with them to provide assistance.If the voter brings a companion or interpreter, avoid looking at the companion or interpreter and saying, “tell him” or “tell her.” Speak to the voter.

If necessary, position yourself on the same eye level as the voter.

Greet everyone with a smile.

Say hello and goodbye to the person with a disability to make it clear when the interaction has started and is over.

Accommodate the voter.

For instance, some voters might prefer to communicate by writing instead of speaking, or some will need to sit down. (More on this topic later.)Slide9

3 – “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You”

Treat every voter with the same dignity and respect you would want, expect, and deserve.Show the qualities and values that exemplify professionalism.“Golden Rule”Slide10

4 – Treat Assistive Devices as an Extension of the Voter

Always ask first for permission to provide assistance. Even if you mean well, it might be perceived as a violation of the person’s personal space or as being disrespectful.Never touch, lean on, or attempt to take control over any aids or devices. Types of assistive devices: wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, walkers, canes, eye wear, hearing aids, prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, alphabet board or computer to communicate, etc.Slide11

5 – Politely Ignore Service Animals

A service animal should never be distracted. Refrain from petting, touching or even talking to the animal. A service animal: IS NOT a pet.IS NOT required to wear an identification badge, harness, sign or symbol.IS on duty.

IS trained to assist a person with disability.

IS an extension of his/her owner.

IS sometimes used for a disability or difficulty that is not apparent.

Allow the voter to proceed with the animal

,

provided the animal is under control and not a threat to anyone.

Handle

any situation professionally and

politely.

If

uncertain, seek guidance from the polling place inspector.Slide12

6 – Provide Assistance without Judgement

A voter with a disability may not always want or need help.Not all disabilities are readily apparent.A voter may not want – and is not required – to

disclose his or her disability.If a voter indicates or asks for help, the voter is entitled to it.

Do not judge the abilities of a voter or ask the voter why he or she needs assistance.

Do not ask questions about the existence, nature, or extent of someone’s disability.

Once a voter requests help, provide assistance without judgment.Slide13

6 – Provide Assistance without Judgment

FactSituationSolution

Magic Words

A

person with a disability is the best judge of his or her own

capabilities

.

Make your assistance available to everyone.

“Thank you for coming out to vote today.

If

you need help with

anything,

just ask.”

It can be awkward, disrespectful, and even dangerous to try to help someone who does not want or need help.

(Cont’d)Slide14

Preparing the Polling PlaceAccommodating

voters with disabilitiesSlide15

Post SignsSlide16

Clear Path

Remove barriers, objects, furniture or other obstacles that could prevent easy access or make it difficult for a voter with disability to move safely about.Put yourself in the voter’s place - Ask yourself if a voter with visual impairment or limited mobility would have difficulty going through, up or down a pathway, step, ramp, threshold, or curb – or in or out of the polling place or room.

Keep cords, cables, wires, and other tripping hazards out of the way.Slide17

Check Wheelchair ClearanceMake sure that voters using a wheelchair can approach the sign-in table and fit their chair under the lip of the table.

Voting booths used by voters with disabilities must also provide accessible clearanceSlide18

Have Accessible Supplies Available

Accessible equipment, supplies and other interface or interactive devices:Ensures you will be able to provide prompt assistanceReduces confusion and disruption to voting process

Maintains flow of voters

Ensure that accessible requisite forms and documents are in place. These include:

Ballots

Declarations to Secure – or to Provide Assistance

Alternative format forms

Be prepared with miscellaneous materials

.

Extra

chairs

– to accommodate a voter with limited mobility

Paper and pen – to accommodate a voter with speech difficultiesSlide19

Set-up and Be Familiar with Accessible Voting EquipmentSlide20

Best Practices for Voters with Specific Disabilities

Providing assistance to voters with specific disabilitiesSlide21

Voters with a Disability Affecting Speech or Motor Skills

Fact Varying degrees of speech or motor skills may exist and for different reasons. Situations A voter may have suffered a stroke and is relearning how to speak. A voter may have a developmental or cognitive disability. Best Practices Be courteous, exercise patience, and listen carefully.Encourage thought completion without correcting, interrupting, or trying to complete a voter’s sentences. Keep statements, explanations, questions, and language simple. Politely ask for clarification or follow-up. If the voter is able, ask him/her to write down what is being said or asked. Pretending to understand encourages poor communication. Assume the voter is as intelligent as you or anyone else.Slide22

Voters with Visual Impairment or BlindnessFact

It is not always immediately obvious if a voter has a visual impairment.SituationsA voter might be able to navigate a room but unable to read, or vice versa. A voter with visual impairment might use an assistive device (cane, walker) or a service animal.A voter might walk more slowly or a half-step behind to anticipate curbs, thresholds, steps, etc. Best PracticesIntroduce yourself to the voter when he or she comes in - and again if you speak later.Ask permission before guiding a voter or moving his/her assistive device. Once permission is received, verbalize what you will be doing. (I.e., “I’m going to place your hand on my elbow/shoulder…”) If leading someone to a booth or elsewhere, describe the path and obstacles and what you are doing. Offer the voter your elbow. Physically pushing or pulling a voter is dangerous and rude. If a voter has a service animal, walk on the voter’s side opposite the animal.If you escort a voter into voting booth, be ready to help him/her again once he/she has finished voting.Slide23

Voters with Mobility Impairments

FactVarying degrees of mobility impairment exist, and with different needs. SituationsA voter who has a mobility impairment might use a cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter, or crutches.A voter with respiratory or heart trouble might not appear to be have a mobility impairment, but may need to move slowly or occasionally sit down. Best PracticesRemember; a voter’s wheelchair, scooter or other assistive device is a part of his/her personal space or an extension of the voter. Ask for – and receive – permission before leaning on, pushing or touching a voter’s assistive device.When given permission to push a voter’s wheelchair, start out slowly.Canes, crutches or walkers are used for balance. Touching or grabbing these assistive devices can cause a voter to lose their balance.When talking with a voter in a wheelchair, sit in a chair so you are at his or her eye level. Slide24

Voters with Deafness or with Difficulty HearingFact

It is not always immediately obvious if a voter has difficulty hearing and to what degree.Situations A voter might wear an undetectable hearing device.A voter might lip- or speech-read or use sign language. A voter might come in with an interpreter.Best PracticesMake and keep good eye contact. When communicating, look at the person and be sure that he or she can see your face and lips.Speak at a normal volume level. Shouting or yelling is embarrassing, unprofessional, and harder to lip- or speech-read.If you are not understood, try rephrasing the statement or question or use pen and paper.If you need to get the voter’s attention when his or her back is turned, politely tap his or her shoulder.Slide25

Voters with Hidden Disabilities

FactIt can be challenging to know whether a voter has a disability and when he or she needs or wants help. SituationsSome voters have developmental or cognitive disabilities or difficulties.Some voters have service-connected disabilities or difficulties including post traumatic stress disorder for which they have a service animal to alert or comfort them in public.Some voters have a heart condition or vertigo that affects balance or ability to stand.Some voters have epilepsy for which a service animal alerts him or her to an acute episode.Best PracticesAsk every voter how/if you can assist and be willing to do what is reasonably possible to help. Treat everyone equally and provide the best possible service to all voters.Know the location of accessible paths, and if available, water fountains and restrooms.Slide26

Best PracticesSlide27

Alexis de Tocqueville“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private

citizens.”Slide28

Final Thoughts