Continued discussion of politics and disabilities

September 8, 2008

Hi all:

I have added this link to our links page:

Special_Needs_Election/

Feel free to join that group for further discussion of the various

candidates for office and their platforms and positions on disabilities

related issues.

Ellen

September 9, 2008

Hi everyone,

All of this info is great, to help us make an informed decision.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on registering Quentin to vote (I am

his legal guarian) and

preparing him, and accomodations (I will need to help him even with the computer

screen)

I don't mean to start a debate on whether or not our kids should vote ( I recall

the discussion on this

site previously) We have already decided that his vote is important and I do let

our legislators know

that when I write to them. But I need a practical, how to advice.

Quentin is 18, has epilepsy and autism, does not write, and has difficulty

following directions. At

school they use a picture schedule, verbal cues and sometimes physical

(HOH)prompt. We do the

same at home minus the schedule. any ideas?

Thanks

Thais

September 9, 2008

This is a great question and one that we definitely want to cover. As people

make suggestions or share info, I'll try to pull it all together into a resource

file for us; am also planning to re-run the Voting segment from our first year,

and I know Ellen and I both have voter accomodations items to post.

Re: Continued discussion of politics and disabilities

Hi everyone,

All of this info is great, to help us make an informed decision.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on registering Quentin to vote (I am

his legal guarian) and

preparing him, and accomodations (I will need to help him even with the

computer screen)

I don't mean to start a debate on whether or not our kids should vote ( I

recall the discussion on this

site previously) We have already decided that his vote is important and I do

let our legislators know

that when I write to them. But I need a practical, how to advice.

Quentin is 18, has epilepsy and autism, does not write, and has difficulty

following directions. At

school they use a picture schedule, verbal cues and sometimes physical

(HOH)prompt. We do the

same at home minus the schedule. any ideas?

Thanks

Thais

September 9, 2008

I have found it easiest to do early voting, which should be available in all

communities (at least I am fairly certain that it is) usually at Village Hall.

There are usually no crowds, no lines...

I assist Noah by facilitation (light elbow touch or hand over hand) . We

discuss choices prior to going and usually have everything written out so he

will recognize the names.

There is a required affadavit that one signs that testifies to the fact that the

person you are assisting is voting for his/her own choices...implied capability

to make decisions...I like to warn families of this because that brings up lots

of questions/issues for some people...

As I recall, I registered Noah online.

I stand firm in recommending that every one of our children should exercise

their right to vote.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Continued discussion of politics and disabilities

Hi everyone,

All of this info is great, to help us make an informed decision.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on registering Quentin to vote (I am

his legal guarian) and

preparing him, and accomodations (I will need to help him even with the

computer screen)

I don't mean to start a debate on whether or not our kids should vote ( I

recall the discussion on this

site previously) We have already decided that his vote is important and I do

let our legislators know

that when I write to them. But I need a practical, how to advice.

Quentin is 18, has epilepsy and autism, does not write, and has difficulty

following directions. At

school they use a picture schedule, verbal cues and sometimes physical

(HOH)prompt. We do the

same at home minus the schedule. any ideas?

Thanks

Thais

September 9, 2008

Thanks Ellen,

That's great. I didn't know they would allow hand over hand. I do know that

Naperville has early

voting and I will look into online registration. Do you sign the affidavit the

day of voting or before?

Thais

--

WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)

September 9, 2008

You sign the day of voting...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Continued discussion of politics and disabilities

Thanks Ellen,

That's great. I didn't know they would allow hand over hand. I do know that

Naperville has early

voting and I will look into online registration. Do you sign the affidavit the

day of voting or before?

Thais

--

WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)

September 9, 2008

I dont know if this has already been addressed..so pardon me if I am

repeating. Since there are two of us in this household that need support

when voting, (I am blind) Adam has Down Syndrome, we have tried it a few

watys, early voting and I liked that best. In Naperville we could walk a

few feet away and sit at a table and we are able to coach Adam in some

privacy..better than at the Polling place becuase it is too crowded.

Another way to do this is by absentee ballot . that takes away the 'fun' of

going to city hall or a polling place but the famly is in complete control

of the environment.

And I agree with Ellen ..we can all exercise our right to vote. good luck

to us all this fall! cindi

September 9, 2008

Thanks for the voting info and a great reminder!

I will take my sister with multiple challenges to vote.

She has been following the candidates and is undecided.

It is a huge event for her, and she loves the entire process.

I am always amazed when people look at us in line and say things like

" ...can she really vote?... " or worse: " is she allowed to vote? "

the " community " still has a long way to go, but we ARE out there.

IPADDUnite@...: cbswanson@...: Tue, 9 Sep 2008

21:38:19 -0500Subject: Re: Continued discussion of politics and

disabilities

I dont know if this has already been addressed..so pardon me if I am repeating.

Since there are two of us in this household that need support when voting, (I am

blind) Adam has Down Syndrome, we have tried it a few watys, early voting and I

liked that best. In Naperville we could walk a few feet away and sit at a table

and we are able to coach Adam in some privacy..better than at the Polling place

becuase it is too crowded.Another way to do this is by absentee ballot . that

takes away the 'fun' of going to city hall or a polling place but the famly is

in complete control of the environment.And I agree with Ellen ..we can all

exercise our right to vote. good luck to us all this fall! cindi

September 9, 2008