News

 

What is voting? Voting is a way for adult citizens to make decisions regarding an important issue or to pick someone for an office.

Who can vote? You can vote if: you are a United States Citizen, 18 years or older, registered to vote, and living in Idaho and the county you reside in at least 30 days before the election.

How do I register to vote? You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You can also register online or by filling out a voter registration form with your county clerk. Follow the instructions for completing and submitting the form.

Where can I vote? Everyone who can vote may vote at a polling place on Election Day. You can find your polling place by calling your county clerk or going online. In Idaho, you can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot, For more information, go to or call your county clerk.

Who can help me vote? Anyone you trust! You have the right to have someone help you fill out and submit your ballot. You can also call your county clerk, your local or state independent living center, or DisAbility Rights Idaho at 208-336-5353 or email info@disabilityrightsidaho.org if you need help registering to vote or voting.

Are election officials required to effectively communicate with voters with disabilities?YES! The ADA requires election officials conducting any election at the federal, state, or local level to provide communication with voters with disabilities that is as effective as that provided to others. To ensure that voters with disabilities can fully participate in the election process, officials must provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services at each state of the voting process

Find out more at the link below

https://dacnw.org/case-study/voting-in-idaho/ 

NCIL, the National Council on Independent Living needs help!

We need your help. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our community hard, and especially people in congregate settings. These settings include places like psychiatric hospitals, intermediate care facilities, nursing facilities, developmental centers, group homes, and others. Many of our people are still trapped in these settings even as the pandemic has highlighted their dangers.

As we fight to keep everyone safe, we are also preparing for increased infections in the coming months. We are considering filing a complaint about how the rights of many disabled people in congregate settings are being violated right now. We need to know what has – and has not – been working in these settings around the country.  

If you live in a congregate setting, or if someone close to you (like a family member or friend) does, we want to hear from you.

You can share this information with us using any of the methods below:

• Use the online form
• Email comments@ncil.org
• Call 202-864-4249 and leave a voicemail on our dedicated comment line

Please provide at least one way to contact you so we can follow up if we need more information. Some of the information we receive will be used if we move forward with the complaint. We will not share your name or contact information without your permission.

We request that you please share this information with us by Friday, October 16. Thank you. 

Survey Question Examples: We are especially interested in answers to the following questions. You can answer any or all of these questions. These are just examples of the type of information we are looking for. If you have information to share with us that is not included in these questions, please do.

Since the start of the pandemic:

1. Did you want to get out of a congregate setting – and could not? (Or, did someone you know want to get out of a congregate setting – and could not?)
2. Did anyone offer you services to meet your needs in the community instead? (Or, did anyone offer the person you know services to meet their needs in the community instead?)
3. Did anyone tell you that a family member could get paid to provide you support in their home? (Or, did anyone tell you that you could take your relative home and get paid to provide the support they need?)
4. Did you think about moving into or out of a congregate setting (from another facility or the community), but couldn’t get information on the safety of the setting? Or did you want to move a family member, but were not able to get this information? This can include things like the number of infections or access to PPE.  

We also want to hear about the day-to-day experiences in congregate settings. For example:

Has the setting taken steps to protect residents and staff from COVID infection? For example:

• Are they making sure staff wear masks, gowns, and gloves?
• Are they testing for COVID weekly?
• Are they practicing social distancing?
• Are they taking other steps?

Do you have concerns about the facility NOT taking steps to protect you or the person you know? For example:  

• Are they having the same staff work with residents who have COVID and residents who do not?
• Is there limited use of protective equipment (like gloves and masks)?
• Are they admitting new residents without testing for COVID, or without quarantining for 14 days?
• Are they continuing to have residents eat or do other activities in large groups?
• Are there other concerns?

Have you had access to an Ombudsperson or Protection & Advocacy person to talk about concerns or grievances? 

Registration is now open!

LINC Idaho has opened registration for Idaho’s Independent Living Conference for 2020. This year the event will be virtual and registration is free!

Go here to find out more about this conference and how to register. 

Whether you’re running for office or volunteering for a political candidate or social issue, campaign materials, events, and activities need to be accessible to people with disabilities. Check out this resource that includes tips for reaching voters with disabilities, and how to make your campaign accessible to everyone!

Accessible Political Campaigns