Beginning in the summer of 2018, a group of stakeholders began meeting regularly to discuss issues relating to voting with a disability in the state. As the number of voters with disabilities continues to grow, most research also continues to point to a persistent “turnout gap” among disability voting populations. In our early stakeholder meetings, many agreed that this was likely due to:
- Elections processes remaining inaccessible for far too long;
- Polling sites remaining inaccessible for far too long; and
- Candidates and campaigns neglecting to speak to issues of importance to voters in Florida’s disability communities.
Across these communities, there seemed to be an urgent need to advocate for inclusivity and accessibility within state elections. Access the Vote Florida (ATVFL) is a state-level coalition affiliated with the national REV UP! Campaign that is coordinated by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). REV UP! stands for:
- Register
- Educate
- Vote
- Use your
- Power!
The aim of this campaign is to increase the political participation of disability communities while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues. ATVFL invites all stakeholders and advocates in the state to collaborate on effective, nonpartisan efforts to:
- Address the concerns of people with disabilities;
- Eliminate barriers to voting;
- Educate people with disabilities about issues and candidates;
- Promote turnout of voters with disabilities; and
- Engage candidates and the media on disability issues.
This website is maintained by Disability Rights Florida through grant funding received under the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access program administered by the Administration on Disabilities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.