FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                

Contact: Kevin Hensil

    Director of Communications

717-364-1732

kphensil@pasilc.org

NEW WEBSITE WILL HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BECOME A POWERFUL VOTING BLOC

HARRISBURG, Pa., November 2, 2007 ­– In advance of next week’s election, the Disability Voting Coalition of Pennsylvania is proud to announce the launch of a non-partisan website with free resources that will help empower people with disabilities to advocate for their right to vote and ensure their vote is counted.  The website can be found at www.dvcpa.org.

 “People with disabilities often face many barriers when going to the polls each election day,” said Paul O'Hanlon, Chairman of the Disability Voting Coalition.  “The new website will give people with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania information about their rights as voters, how to remove barriers to accessing polling places, links to non-partisan website about candidates and much more.” 

Examples of resources available on the site include:

• Regional event announcements Election Day Survival KitFind your polling place information about voting rights for people with disabilities under the Help American Vote Act (HAVA)How to apply for an emergency absentee ballot or alternative ballotHow to make someone your certified designated agent
• Register to vote for the next election

 “The DVC will continue to update the website through next week’s election and beyond with powerful information for the disability community about voting,” O’Hanlan said.  “We’re already preparing for the 2008 primary and general election when the nation will elect a new president.  It is all part of our mission to increase the power of Pennsylvanians with disabilities by establishing the disability community as a strong and influential voting bloc.” 

The DVC is working with local organizations around the state to recreate regional host groups.  Using the tools and resources of the DVC, the regional groups will work in their communities to register people with disabilities to vote, review the accessibility of polling places, question candidates on disability-related issues and share the information with voters. Information about regional meetings and events is available on the website.   

“This website is a great tool for the 1.8 million people with disabilities living in Pennsylvania to connect with the Coalition and become passionate about using our collective power to become a strong voting bloc,” said O’Hanlon.  “We hope they will decide to join the DVC and, most importantly, become active members of the regional groups.”

The DVC is supported by a grant from the Pa Developmental Disabilities Council.  The Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council is the host administrative organization.

ABOUT PA SILCThe Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC) is a nonprofit, cross-disability, consumer-controlled organization dedicated to securing public policies that ensure civil rights for people with disabilities by supporting the independent living philosophy.   

The PA SILC was established in 1987 to comply with the federal "Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986" (P.L.99-506), which requires states to create a consumer-controlled advisory committee to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's Independent Living Program.  In 1992, the federal Rehabilitation Act Amendments gave SILC co-signing authority on the federally-mandated State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

In compliance with state and federal law, a majority of the voting PA SILC members are persons with disabilities and are appointed by the Governor.  Additional representatives are from Centers for Independent Living, person with a disability or independent living organizations, and various state agencies.