The disability vote is 61 million people strong - we need to ensure their voices are heard on Nov. 5.

Written by Greg Kramer, VP of Government Relations and Advocacy at Easterseals Midwest

The disability community represents a powerful voting bloc, with 61 million Americans identifying as having a disability. But historically, their voices often go unheard in our democratic process. This is a missed opportunity, not just for the disability community but for society as a whole. That’s why Easterseals Midwest is working to empower everyone to participate in the upcoming election.

Missourians are heading for one of the most crucial deadlines we will experience.

Missourians are heading for one of the most crucial deadlines we will ever experience. In just one month, we can all vote for various soon-to-be elected officials and constitutional issues. It is the job of Easterseals’ Government Relations and our advocates to assure that the people that we support, their families, our employees, and the general public understand how seriously we take this responsibility. Voting is not just a right; it’s a powerful tool for change. For individuals with disabilities and all persons connected with them, exercising this right is essential to shaping policies and decisions that directly impact their lives.?

The Power of Voting for the Disability Community

Voting isn’t just our civic duty; it’s one of our most powerful tools for self-advocacy. It is our direct line to shaping the policies that affect our daily lives. As advocates for and with the disability community, we can push for healthcare, education, housing, transportation, and reforms.?

Easterseals is committed to empowering the disability community to participate in our elections and ensure they have the resources to cast their vote. Our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) initiative is breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of people with disabilities voting and providing resources for a more accessible voting process for all. By fostering an inclusive and accessible democratic process, we ensure that every voice counts. The Easterseals GOTV initiative will have a significant impact in raising awareness and encouraging civic participation among the communities that we serve.

Addressing Barriers: How We’re Making Voting More Accessible

It’s not our job to tell anyone who to vote for - and we never would. But what we can do is equip people with the information they need to engage in this democratic process. People with disabilities face a number of barriers in the election process, including lack of transportation, accessibility problems at polling places, and a complicated system for accessing information like how to register, where to vote, and so on.

Voting is a fundamental right and through this effort Easterseals can highlight the importance of making elections more accessible. Through GOTV, Easterseals is actively engaging and empowering the disability community to Get Out the Vote this November 5. Here’s how:

• Educational Campaigns: We’re empowering our advocates to host virtual or in-person workshops, webinars, and information sessions about the importance of voting, voter registration deadlines, and the voting process. Advocates target these to individuals with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. These informational campaigns cover things like voter registration deadlines to understanding ballot issues. Almost all of this important information is available online and is accessible by visiting the GOTV landing page: 25percentvotes.com.
• Accessible Voting Resources: Voters with a disability have the right to accessible voting options. Missouri Voters specifically face a number of accessibility issues when visiting the polls.

We’ve also outlined what accessibility rights are available to voters with disabilities. By informing the community of their rights at the polls mean they can recognize and address if those rights aren’t met.

• Partnership with Local Advocacy Groups: Easterseals partners with the local and statewide disability rights groups, organizations, and coalitions to leverage existing advocacy networks to amplify the GOTV initiative. These partnerships are crucial in advocating for policy changes that make elections more accessible and inclusive. For example, we address common concerns like guardianship rights and voting, working with organizations like Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services to clarify misconceptions and promote full participation. One of the most frequently asked and less understood issues is the question of “Can I vote if I have a guardian?” Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services and the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council have put together a one page outline that helps address that issue.
• Transportation Solutions: For voters with disabilities not voting by mail, transportation to their polling place can be one of the biggest hurdles they have to overcome to participate in the election. It appears that Easterseals and Lyft have developed a partnership to provide election day transportation to the polls for people supported by Easterseals. The goal of the Voting Access Campaign aims to remove transportation barriers and ensure eligible voters that Easterseals serves have transportation access to a polling place or voting center in their community. There will be more to come on this exciting new development!?

Every Voice Matters

At the heart of our GOTV initiative is the belief that voting is a fundamental right for all Americans, regardless of ability. By using targeted strategies and focusing on meaningful outcomes, Easterseals can enhance civic engagement and further our mission of advocating for people with disabilities. Our GOTV effort can foster community ties and collaboration among those supported by Easterseals and the broader community, which in turn encourages collective action. ?When the disability community votes, it sends a powerful message: we are here and our voices matter. When the disability community votes, our society is more equitable, inclusive, and accessible.?

At the heart of our GOTV initiative is the belief that voting is a fundamental right for all Americans, regardless of ability.

Every Missouri citizen has the right to have their voices heard through their vote. At Easterseals, we steadfastly advocate to make that right become reality.?

How can I help Get Out the Vote?

To learn more about the upcoming election, how to register, voting place rights, and important information you can share with friends and family, visit 25percentvotes.org.

Interested in receiving regular updates about disability issues in Missouri? Sign up for This Week in Advocacy, our disability legislation newsletter by signing up for alerts here.

Greg Kramer is a dedicated advocate and expert in the field of developmental disabilities with over 50 years of experience in Government Relations and Public Policy. He has worked almost equally in both the public and private sectors of the Missouri Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I-DD) system, as well as one of Melbourne, Australia’s IDD institutions. As a leading voice in advocacy for individuals with I-DD, he has championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving access to services, increasing funding, and shaping legislation that benefits those with disabilities and their families.

Throughout his career, Greg has successfully collaborated with state and federal agencies, legislators, and nonprofit organizations to drive meaningful change. His strategic insight and deep understanding of the complex policy landscape have enabled him to navigate the challenges of government relations while securing critical support for the I-DD community.

Over these many years, Greg has been employed in various leadership positions, leaving his public sector employment as the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health to his current private sector position of Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for Easterseals Midwest. He plays a pivotal role in leading advocacy efforts, fostering partnerships, and engaging key stakeholders to advance the mission of improving the quality of life for people with I-DD? His expertise in policy analysis, legislative advocacy, and community outreach has made him a trusted resource on issues related to disability rights and public policy.

Greg’s passion for advocacy is fueled by his commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling and independent life. His work continues to inspire and empower others in the I-DD field.