We are hoping they are indeed accessible. Another problem, even if the machines are accessible, is the fact that out of the 1681 polling locations in Philadelphia only 42 polling places are fully accessible. Some are marginally accessible, no step to get in, but that brings the number up only slightly. Portable ramps could improve the numbers immediately. This is a very poor ratio even when compared to other large cities.
Voting is the core to civil rights for all American citizens.
The fact is that disabled people are denied access to the polls. We would like the Board of Elections to institute a plan that all polling places be accessible by the year 2005 and begin by requiring that all new polling places that are chosen must be accessible to people with disabilities. We feel it is incumbent upon the Board of Elections to actively seek out and investigate possible accessible polling locations that such as firehouses, schools, even supermarkets in effort to remedy this wrong. To some of us, absentee ballots just don't cut it, but some people feel just fine about absentee ballots and that's okay. All people should be allowed to vote in any way they choose.