The Role of Nonpartisan Observation in Improving Election Accessibility

This virtual side event at the 19th Conference of State Parties to the CRPD (COSP19) convenes organizations conducting polling place and election accessibility audits to discuss how the robust data generated by these observations can be used to understand and remediate long-standing electoral access barriers.  

While reviewing relevant international standards for the participation of persons with disabilities in elections and political affairs and the launch of the Carter Center’s Election Observation Standards Supplement (linked here) on the topic, participants will hear from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and civil society groups that routinely monitor election accessibility about how they collect and use data to inform Election Management Bodies and legislators on accessibility barriers and advance legislation to improve accessibility of elections. By sharing their best practices, successes, and challenges, participants will learn new strategies for conducting nonpartisan accessibility audits and using data to advocate for accessibility improvements at polling places.

Join us for the webinar on June 11^th from 10 am to 11:15 am.

CART Captioning and ASL will be provided.

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Moderator:

Sarah Blahovec, U.S. Voting Rights Expert, The Carter Center 

Sarah Blahovec is a disability civic engagement expert who works to identify and reduce barriers to voting and political participation for people with disabilities.

Panelists:  

Justin Bbakali, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Federation of Disability Organisations 

Justin Bbakali leads the Zimbabwe Federation of Disability Organisations and advocates for more accessible voter registration, polling, and election information for persons with disabilities.

Bruce Chooma, Programmes Coordinator, Disability Rights Watch 

Bruce Chooma works to strengthen the political participation of persons with disabilities in Zambia, with a focus on identifying barriers in voter registration and election administration.

Dessa Cosma, Executive Director, Detroit Disability Power 

Dessa Cosma leads polling place accessibility audits in Michigan and uses those findings to push for practical improvements that make voting more accessible and usable.

Jerome Mindes, Inclusive Development Consultant 

Jerome Mindes is an inclusive development specialist with deep experience advancing election accessibility and democratic participation for persons with disabilities around the world.

Misheck Mutamba, Program Manager, Zimbabwe Federation of Disability Organisations 

Misheck Mutamba works on disability rights advocacy in Zimbabwe, focusing on evidence-based reforms to remove barriers to full and independent electoral participation.

Wamundila Waliuya, Executive Director, Disability Rights Watch 

Wamundila Waliuya is a disability rights advocate whose work focuses on building more inclusive electoral systems so persons with disabilities can participate fully in public life.