This document describes the My Voice, My Vote initiative which aims to increase voter participation among young adults with disabilities. [1] It was developed in 2008 as a web-based project to educate about voting rights and options for people with disabilities. [2] Barriers to voting for those with disabilities include lack of awareness of voting rights, challenges with registration, and lack of assistance. [3] The initiative is a collaborative effort between several organizations aimed at empowering people with disabilities to participate in the voting process.

1. My Voice, My Vote
Helping young adults with disabilities
exercise their right to vote

2. My Voice, My Vote
• A web-based initiative
• Developed in 2008, prior to the
election
• Aimed at young adults with disabilities
• Also aimed at educators, civic
organizations, family members, and
care providers

3. The need
• Young adults vote at a lower rate than
the general population
• People with disabilities vote at a lower
rate than the general population
• Understanding of voting laws is limited
• Knowledge about voting options and
accommodations is limited

4. People with disabilities want to vote
• People with disabilities are concerned
about issues affecting themselves and
their communities.
• Crime
• Health care
• Education
• Jobs
• Housing

5. Speaking up makes a difference
• Advocates for people with disabilities
share their views on voting and civic
involvement.

6. Most adults with disabilities can vote
• Nationally, laws vary by state
• In Minnesota, most adults with
disabilities, including intellectual
disabilities, have the right to vote.
• It is important for people to know their
rights

7. Barriers to voting
• Many are unaware that they are
entitled to vote
• Registering to vote can be challenging
• Assistance is often required, and is not
always easy to come by
• Some just don’t know how to vote

8. The My Voice, My Vote project
• A Web-based project to increase voter
participation among young adults with
disabilities
• Funded by a grant from the Charles
and Mabel Williams Fund of the
Minneapolis Foundation awarded to the
Institute on Community Integration at
the University of Minnesota

9. A collaborative effort
• Institute on Community Integration at
the University of Minnesota
• Public Achievement program of the
Center for Democracy and Citizenship
• Partnerships Resources, Inc.
• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Minnesota Secretary of State’s office

10. U of MN Institute on Community Integration
• A federally designated University Center for
Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
• We believe that all persons with developmental and
other disabilities should live as valued members of
local communities.
• Mission is to improve the services and social
supports available to individuals with disabilities and
their families. The Institute carries out this mission
through research, professional training, technical
assistance, and publishing activities.
• On the Web: http://www.ici.umn.edu

11. Public Achievement program of the Center for
Democracy and Citizenship
• The mission of the Center for Democracy and
Citizenship is to promote the theory and practice of
citizenship and democracy.
• The Public Achievement organizing model
recognizes that people of every age have skills,
talents and ideas, and that by learning to work
strategically with others they can solve problems
and build sustainable democratic societies.
• On the Web: http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/cdc/
pa.html

12. Partnership Resources, Inc.
• Partnership Resources, Inc. (PRI) provides services
to adults with developmental disabilities. PRI is
among the longest standing programs of its type
and provides innovative programs and opportunities
for the individuals they serve. PRI currently provides
services for about 220 individuals at three main
locations as well as 27 community job sites.
• On the Web: http://www.partnershipresources.org/

13. Program elements
• Workshop on civic engagement and
voting
• Video
• Website:
http://www.myvoicemyvote.org/
• Includes educational materials and links to
external sites

14. National and state relevance
• National relevance—Help America Vote
Act, 2002
• 10.9 Million Americans with Disabilities
voted in 2000
• 14.7 Million Americans with Disabilities
voted in 2008—Rutgers University Study
• State-wide voting assistance initiative

15. Background: 2006 – Activism takes off
• The passage of the Help America Vote
Act, along with development of
adaptive, created an atmosphere in
which people with disabilities could be
empowered in new ways.
• A 2006 project of Partnership
Resources Inc., “Be Drawn to Vote,”
resulted in many new voters and
increased statewide activism.

16. 2006: What happened
• A voting rights event was co-sponsored
HHH Forum, the Minnesota Secretary
of State’s Office and Partnership
Resources, Inc.
• Assisted with filling out the voter
registration forms
• Demonstrated the voting equipment
• Provided hands-on training

17. Fast forward to 2008
• Exciting Presidential election
• Increased interest and activism
• Opportunity to build on earlier efforts
and involve several partners to create
a Web-based resource

18. Voters meet the Senator-to-be

19. Speaking up at the State Capital

20. The video
• Available on the My Voice, My Vote
website and on YouTube
• Let’s watch it!

21. Plans
• Maintain Web site
• Seek additional support to keep it
updated
• Encourage others to use the materials
and develop state-specific materials for
other states

22. What next?
• Please share your questions
and ideas!
• Thanks for coming!