DISABLED VOTERS OFFERED ASSISTANCE

(10/30/2004)
CHARLESTON, WV - West Virginians are being strongly encouraged to vote on November 2nd. West Virginians with disabilities are particularly encouraged to vote and a historically significant collaboration effort is underway to provide assistance and remove barriers that may prevent them from doing so.

The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, Appalachian Center for Independent Living, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living, Fair Shake Network, West Virginia Advocates, and the Voting Rights Institute are offering assistance to voters with disabilities.

If you have difficulty accessing polling places or casting ballots call West Virginia Advocates at 1-800-950-5250 or the American Association of Persons with Disabilities at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or WV Democratic Victory 2004 at 1-866-988-6837 or 304-346-9142.

This hotline will provide you with answers to advocate for you and ensure your right to vote is not violated.

"We have known and heard of problems with discrimination and access to the voting process for voters with disabilities for many years," says Ann Meadows, Executive Director of the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council.

"This is the most comprehensive effort to coordinate assistance to voters with disabilities ever undertaken in our state and we hope to remove barriers and get the highest turnout of voters with disabilities ever."