Does your precinct have a Voter Assist Terminal?

[lightningandsnow]

The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) is a break-through paper ballot-marking technology that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark their ballot privately and independently. With an audio function and Braille-embossed key pads, similar to the Touch Screen, it allows people that are blind or partially sighted to listen to their choices through headphones. This function also allows the voter to adjust the speed and volume at which the ballot is read.

The VAT also features: a Sip/Puff tube and a Rocker Paddle/Foot Switch that may be used by voters with limited motor function, or who are, unable to use the touch screen or touch pad. A zoom feature which enables voters to increase the font size on the viewing touch screen and the contrast may also be adjusted to help those with limited vision.

http://www.toronto.ca/elections/accessibility/voting-equipment-vat.htm

We had these in our local election, at one polling station per electoral district. To give you an idea of the size of our electoral districts (wards), there are 44 in the city of Toronto. You did have to arrange in advance to use the VAT, but if you were a person with a disability who didn't, you could still bring someone with you to your regular polling station to help you, as long as they sign the right paperwork.

Personally, I think the VAT is a really great idea. I'm not sure how widespread it is, so I was wondering if any other DUers knew of it being used in their area?

[frazzled]

1. Lots of accessibility devices here

Accessibility Devices and Features in Polling Places
In Chicago polling places, the Election Board offers various tools to help voters with different physical abilities:

Ballot Marker Grippers allow voters to easily hold the marking pens for paper ballots.
Large Ballot Viewers are magnifying lenses designed to enlarge the print on the paper ballots to assist voters who require assistance to read the names of offices, candidates and referenda.
Wheelchair accessible voting booths are available in each polling place and allow persons in wheelchairs to use in marking a paper optical-scan ballot or the touchscreen. Voters who are unable to stand for long periods of time also may use this unit and a provided chair.
Audio Controller Unit and Audio Ballots in the touchscreen voting units allow a visually impaired voter to hear the balloting instructions, offices, candidates and referenda and allow them to make their choices and cast their ballot by use of a hand held controller unit and supplied headphones. This controller can also be affixed to the arm of a chair or wheelchair by using the Velcro straps attached to the unit.
Audio Visual Ballots on the touchscreen allow voters who may have difficulty moving their arms or dexterity issues to use the keypad and the headphones but also see the ballot being displayed on the screen.
Sip-and-Puff Devices on the touchscreen voting units can be used in conjunction with the audio controller. The sip and puff device will navigate the voter through the audio ballot.
Door Bells are offered outside entrances to polling places with heavy doors. When voters ring the bells, a judge of election will come and open the door for the voter.
Threshold Ramps are placed at polling places where the door threshold is such that a voter in a wheelchair may have difficulty entering. The threshold ramps will make for easier entry into the polling place.
An Information and Services Notice (Form 25) is printed in large type. This Notice lists services and rules for voters who may receive assistance while voting. This Notice is to be posted on a wall in each polling place.
Alternate Entrance Signs, where needed, will be posted at polling places to direct voters with disabilities to the entrance that offers the easiest access.
Assisted Voting is available to those who designate a trusted family member or other friend to help the voter cast a ballot. An affidavit must be signed by the voter and the person assisting. The voter also may request the assistance of two judges of election, one from each major political party, to help the voter cast a ballot.
Curbside Voting is provided when voters file a request for assistance in cases where they are unable to gain access to their polling places because of structural features of the building. Every effort is made to use buildings that are fully accessible. However, some centralized voting sites are not fully accessible, and in other cases, owners of accessible buildings have not allowed their buildings to be used as polling places.
NOTE: By law, the Election Board must receive a request in writing at 69 W. Washington St., Suite 600, Chicago IL 60602 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2010. The Request for a Ballot by a Voter who is Unable to Enter the Polling Place, Form 25DA, must be completed and received by the Board before Election Day. By using this form, a voter may request that two (2) judges of election of opposite political parties bring a ballot to a location where forward motion toward the polling place can no longer be continued; but, in no case shall a ballot be delivered to the voter beyond 50 feet of the entrance to the building in which the polling place is located. At this location, an application for ballot must be completed by the voter and verified by the judges. The voter will be allowed to cast their ballot privately. The Board will notify the judges of election at the appropriate precinct polling places of requests filed on or before Nov. 1.
Designated Parking is provided at polling places thanks to the City of Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation, which helps assign temporary spaces for vehicles that display the placards for drivers with disabilities.

Voting for Permanently Disabled / Residents of Licensed Care Facilities
Registered voters who are permanently disabled or incapacitated or are residents of a licensed nursing home or care facility may request an Affidavit and Application for Disabled Voter or Resident of Nursing Home or Care Facility, Form 504DVI.

Once certified, a voter with a Disabled Voter's Identification Card (Form DVI) will receive an absentee ballot application automatically for all elections during the next five (5) years.