Spark the Spectrum Champions Accessible Voting for Arizona’s Disabled Community Post-Court Ruling

With the November general election looming, Arizona is making strides to enhance electoral participation among voters with disabilities. On Monday, First Place AZ and the Foundation for Blind Children co-hosted Spark the Spectrum, a workshop aimed at empowering these voters with essential knowledge and tools for Election Day.

Coinciding with National Voter Registration Day, the event provided attendees with insights into voting equipment, necessary accommodations, and the overall voting workflow. It also served as a crucial reminder of the upcoming voter registration deadline on October 7.

“We are incredibly proud to be partners in this initiative to help increase awareness about voter registration and voter accessibility,” stated Jared Kittelson, CEO of the Foundation for Blind Children. “Access for some is not OK; it’s about access for all. There’s strength in all of us pushing in the same direction and supporting each other.”

The workshop’s timing is particularly significant following a May ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals in Wood v. Coconino. This decision affirmed that individuals under guardianship do not automatically forfeit their voting rights, reversing previous policies that had disenfranchised many with disabilities.

“I want to know when my ballot comes so I can get it filled out and mailed in because it’s just so important to vote,” said Harry Goralnik, a registered voter with disabilities. “I feel like that’s the best way I can serve my country.”

Maricopa County Elections Department offers a variety of accessible voting services, including large print and Braille ballots, available upon request through their website. Voters can also utilize an accessible voting device at any of the county’s over 240 vote centers during the election.

This device features a touch screen, customizable contrast settings, and a Braille-enabled, audio-tactile interface controller, ensuring a private and independent voting experience for all users.

Denise D. Resnik, founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ, highlighted the importance of continuous advocacy for neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing, “We want to ensure that you understand that this is an important election year, but so is the ongoing dialogue about autism, disabilities, and bipartisan engagement.”

According to First Place AZ, over 110,000 U.S. children with autism transition to adulthood each year, making awareness of their voting rights critical for both them and their support networks.

The Spark the Spectrum workshop is part of Vote the Spectrum, a campaign initiated by First Place AZ in October 2023. This workshop marks the third accessible voting event presented by the campaign this year.

Jenniffer Jarvis, co-founder and director of operations for Epic Disability Advocacy, shared personal insights into the event, detailing her family’s quest to secure voting rights for her son Josh, who is under full guardianship. Despite challenges, they aimed to demonstrate Josh’s capability to engage as a citizen by passing the Arizona civics test—a requirement to retain his voting rights.

“This wasn’t just about passing a test; it was about proving Josh’s knowledge and skills,” she explained. After diligent preparation, Josh achieved a score of 96%. However, their victory was short-lived; the court denied their request to preserve his voting rights, citing his guardianship status.

“Josh’s story exemplifies a broader challenge: ensuring that individuals with disabilities have their voices heard, especially regarding fundamental rights like voting,” Jarvis concluded.