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Full report:
Part A:
Executive Summary
This
project was funded by a grant from the Office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth.
In response to the Help America Vote
Act (HAVA), the Secretary of the Commonwealth (SOC) reaffirmed his
commitment to ensure that all of the 1488 polling locations throughout
the state are accessible for people with disabilities by the September
Primary. The Commonwealth has had polling accessibility requirements for
over 15 years under the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 950
Section 51.00 titled “Polling Place Accessibility for Elderly and
Handicapped Voters”. The most recent revision, effective August 28,
2003, is more stringent, in all aspects, than the requirements under
HAVA.
Using 950 CMR Section 51.00 as it’s
guide, the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) conducted site
surveys of all of the 1488 polling locations throughout the state, as
directed by the SOC. The actual physical surveying of the locations took
a total of 8 months and was performed by four Access Specialists from
MOD. Each survey was conducted by an Access Specialist along with the
City/Town Clerk or their designated representative.
Each municipality was mailed a copy
of the survey results listing each polling location and any
non-conforming features found at that location. Information gathered
from the site surveys was then entered into a specially designed
database.
The survey found that:
- 67 (19.10%)
of the 351 municipalities have all of
their polling locations accessible.
- 587 (39.45%)
of the 1,488 polling locations comply with 950 CMR Section 51.00.
-
893
(60.01%) of the 1,488
polling locations have at least 1 non-conforming feature.
There were 8 (0.54%) polling locations that could
not be surveyed.
Of the 893 locations that had
non-conforming features:
- 471 (52.74%)
of the locations have a non-conforming feature at the designated
accessible parking spaces provided in the parking lot. For example, no
access aisle is provided or no sign is provided at the head of the
space.
- 274 (30.68%)
of the locations have non-conforming features that involve the
entrance. For example, no level landing is provided on the exterior of
the entrance door.
- 262 (29.34%)
of the locations have a non-conforming feature with the ramp provided.
For example, no handrails are provided or the running slope of the
ramp is to steep.
- 221 (24.75%)
of the locations have changes in level greater than ˝ inch along the
accessible route.
- 132 (14.78%)
of the locations have curb cuts that do not provide the proper running
slope.
- 123 (13.77%)
of the locations have non-conforming features that involve the
exterior accessible route from the accessible parking to the
designated accessible entrance. For example, a running slope of a
walkway that exceeds 5%.
- 66 (7.39%)
of the locations have a non-conforming feature at the designated
reserved on-street parking. For example, no sign, indicating the space
is reserved for individuals with a disability, is provided.
- 45 (5.04%)
of the locations do not provide directional signage indicating the
location of the accessible entrance.
- 33 (3.70%)
of the locations have a non-conforming feature with the sample ballots
provided. For example, the height of the sample ballot is too high.
- 32 (3.61%)
of the locations have a non-conforming feature that involve an
interior door. For example, a clear opening of the door measuring less
than 32 inches.
- 23 (2.13%)
of the locations have the designated accessible entrance locked during
polling.
- 19 (2.13%)
of the locations do not provide lighting that is sufficient, along the
accessible route from the accessible parking to the accessible
entrance.
- 15 (1.68%)
of the locations have non-conforming features that involve the
interior accessible route from the accessible entrance to the voting
area. For example, a path of travel measuring less than 36 inches
wide.
- 5 (0.56%)
of the locations do not provide a lower shelf.
The full text of the Study is
available through the links below.
[MOD
Home Page] [Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Home Page]
Last revised September
2003
Comments, questions,
concerns email the Webmaster.
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