WCBVI and DRW Collaborate as Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition to Advocate for Safe and Accessible Elections

Disability Rights Wisconsin along with other community groups, such as the Wisconsin Council for the Blind & Visually Impaired, formed The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC). The WDVC is a non-partisan effort to help ensure full participation in the entire electoral process of voters with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote, and accessing polling places.

Voting already poses a challenge for people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired. One advocate said of the election such voters are now facing an especially difficult decision: risk your health to vote in-person Tuesday or give up the right in an act of self-preservation.

“My deep concern is that folks will just not vote,” said Denise Jess, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council for the Blind & Visually Impaired. “If they haven’t voted already and haven’t been able to file their absentee ballot, they may opt to simply let go because the physical risks are way too scary.”

Source: WKOW Channel 27