News from Northwest ADA Center – Idaho

Future Voting Access

Several credible news sources recently reported that none of the campaign websites for major midterm candidates were fully accessible to blind voters. This is alarming since 2022 was the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The sites from many of the country’s most high profile races, including Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, Republican Herschel Walker and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia, and others did not have websites that fully comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning that voters with disabilities could have a tough time learning about the candidates and engaging with their campaigns.

One in four Americans has a disability and at least 12 million people over the age of 40 have a vision impairment. This underscores the need for all organizations to ensure current and potential customers, clients, students, and stakeholders can access their digital information. That includes websites, documents, videos, webinars, meetings and virtual events.

It is a great concern when access to communication is denied to a certain population. All websites and social media posts need to remember that information needs to be screen readable and photos need alt text descriptions.

For more information about the ADA contact:

Dana Gover, MPA, and ACTCP Certification, ADA Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator 

For more information about ADA Technical Assistance visit the NW ADA Center Idaho website: nwadacenter.org/idaho

Email:dananwadacenteridaho@gmail.com
Phone: Voice and Text 208-841-9422
Idaho Relay Service: 7