Hhs Awards $13 Million To Improve Voting Accessibility For Disabled
Grants of $13 milllion are available from the Department of health and Humas services for states and territories to establish, expand and improve access to voting areas and increase voter participation by individuals with disabilities.
The grants will be used by states in collaboration with local governments to enhance accessibility to polling places for individuals with disabilities; provide outreach to the disability community about polling accessibility; and to train poll workers, elections officials and volunteers on methods to promote access and increase voter participation for individuals with disabilities.
All states, the District of Columbia and the territories eligible under the statute may apply for the funding, which will be distributed in fiscal year 2003 by HHS’ Administration on Developmental Disabilities, part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The program is authorized by the Help America Vote Act, signed into law on October 29, 2002.
“We continue to make progress every day on innovative ways to hear, help and respond to the disability community,” said Dr. Margaret Giannini, director of the HHS Office on Disability. “Individuals with disabilities rely on a variety of inter-related programs and services. This new program is one more way to enable their full participation in civic life.”
“This grant opportunity will provide outreach to individuals with disabilities and increase their participation in the election process,” said Dr. Wade F. Horn, assistant secretary for children and families.
