Oakland, CA – Californians with disabilities who are voting in the election on November 2 have an ally in ensuring that they have full and equal access to the process. With funding from the Help America Vote Act, Disability Rights California operates a toll-free hotline for voters with disabilities who have difficulty accessing polling places, casting ballots or simply have questions about voting.

The primary purpose of the hotline is to fix problems on Election Day, so people with disabilities can vote independently and privately. Examples of barriers experienced by voters with disabilities include:

• No access to ballots for voters living in nursing homes and other residential facilities;
• Polling places with inaccessible parking or steep curb ramps;
• Narrow doorways and aisles at poll sites;
• Voting equipment placed on inaccessible tables or stages;
• Poll workers who are not trained to respond to disability-related requests; and
• Poll sites said to be “accessible” but are not.

Disability Rights California also uses the hotline to track and respond to systemic issues. Our hotline can receive voice and TTY calls. The toll-free number for voice calls is: 800-776-5746. The toll-free number for TTY calls is: 800-719-5798. Individuals who speak languages other than English should state their language and an interpreter will be connected to the call. Callers who wish to use the California Relay Service, Speech to Speech Service or Video Relay can dial 711.