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Special Needs needs panel counsels SOE on polling place accessibility issues

A Special Needs Program was established by Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent in 2001 to encourage citizens of our county who have special needs to exercise their right to vote, and to help make the process friendlier for them.

A Special Needs Advisory Council, including representatives from the Venice Chapter Council of the Blind, the Suncoast Center for Independent Living, the Hard of Hearing ADA Working Group, and Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, keeps the special needs community informed of steps being taken to accomplish the SOE’s goals and solicits suggestions and feedback from it.

The council has helped the SOE with a variety of projects, including poll worker training and polling place accessibility surveys. Thanks to their tremendous contribution, the SOE office has been able to enact changes that make it easier for people, who because of hearing, sight or mobility impairment, may not have voted in the past.

In July 2002 Ms Dent’s special needs program received an Honorable Mention award from the National Association of Counties and the National Organization on Disability for promoting the understanding and inclusion of persons with disabilities.