No Way to Demand Rights When People with Disabilities are Disenfranchised
By
Nila Salgado, Harlem Independent Living Center
 The Latino vote is crucial for many political candidates.
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On the first Tuesday in November, Americans in every state exercise a right that only is available in democratic societies. This right is voting. The voting process - which consists of walking into a booth and pulling on levers to cast a vote - may seem simple but for people with disabilities this task can be impossible. People with visual, paraplegia/quadriplegia or limited hand/arm mobility impairments can not use this voting system. However, technology has been developed to make the voting procedure accessible.
Companies such as VoteHere, QuadMedia and Companion Systems have created new voting machines that will give people with disabilities the opportunity to vote. The voting machines consist of handheld tablets, tabletop units and kiosks. The kiosks provide large print on screen and private speech output that reads what is on the screen for people with visual impairments. For people with limited hand/arm mobility or people in wheelchairs, different types of controls including one operated by mouth, can be added to the kiosk.
How does this affect Latinos with disabilities? According to the 2000 Census, the Latino population in the United States is on the rise. In fact, Latinos are now the biggest minority group in the country. The Latino vote is crucial for many political candidates. Politicians have noticed the power Latinos have on election day. The advance of technology in the voting system will open the doors for all Latinos to be able to vote. Voting is essential to make changes in the Latino and disabled communities. Demand access to voting so everyone can exercise their right to VOTE!!!!
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