Disability Voting Rights Week
9/4/24
Today, over 38 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote, but barriers keep many disabled voters from accessing their right to vote. Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW), taking place September 9–13, 2024, is all about protecting the rights of people with disabilities to participate fully in our democracy. DVRW is hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities’ REV UP Voting Campaign.
DVRW was created by grassroots disabled activists. DVRW is a cross-disability, cross-movement week of action. All community members and allies are invited to join in. Hearing, visual, and mental or cognitive impairments; difficulty walking or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing; and difficulty going outside alone are some of the challenges this week is intended to bring attention to. Here are some statistics to illustrate:
In 2022, 1 in 7 voters had difficulty voting.
Around 1 in 4 adults have a disability in the U.S.
Voters with disabilities were three times more likely to have difficulty or need help voting compared to voters without disabilities.
According to the U.S. census, disabled voters increased their turnout by 1.6 points in the 2022 elections, compared to the 2018 elections.
15.8 million voters with disabilities voted in November 2022.
States with easier vote by mail options had significantly higher voter turnout among the disability community.
If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as nondisabled voters, there would be about 2.0 million more voters.
What can you do to help? Share the info from this article on social media, and support the efforts of your local League of Women Voters! We encourage all local Leagues to hold a voter registration event by reaching out to voters with disabilities through your local Park District Special Recreation District or by finding a Centers for Independent Living branch in your area.
Awareness is the first step to bringing change.