[Nfbnet-master-list] Fwd: Invitation to Help Make Elections More Accessible

[David Andrews]

We are calling on everyone, including voters, non-voters, election 
officials, people with disabilities, designers, engineers, and students, 
to help us make elections more accessible for everyone.


*We invite you to join us in this challenge.*

Read more below or visit us at: 
*http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html 
<blocked::http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html>*

*What is the challenge?*
We are searching for creative answers to the question: How might we 
design an accessible election experience for everyone?

Here's how the process works. We start by trying to better understand 
the problem. Over the next few weeks, everyone will be invited to help 
us research the issues and share their experiences. We are sharing 
stories, insights and examples of voting systems or experiences that 
might relate to elections and accessibility.

In a few weeks, we'll start focusing on brainstorming solutions. Along 
the way, there will be opportunities for feedback and to refine 
concepts and solutions.

You can join the challenge at any time. The discussion is always open.

*Who should participate?*
Everyone is encouraged to participate. Everyone. That includes you!

To participate, go to: http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html 
<blocked::http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html>

Why are we hosting this challenge?
We believe elections can be made more accessible for people with 
disabilities and anyone else who faces barriers to participating 
in democracy.

All of the ideas generated by this challenge will be made freely 
available to anyone who wants to implement them. For example, Los 
Angeles County elections officials will be following this challenge in 
their pursuit of a modern voting system. In L.A. County alone, your 
ideas during this challenge can help improve the voting experience for 
4.5 million voters.

*Who is hosting the challenge?*
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is a 
non-profit think tank at the cutting edge of designing policies that 
will boost economic growth and improve quality of life in the United 
States and around the world. The ITIF Accessible Voting Technology 
Initiative is a project funded by the U.S. Election Assistance 
Commission (EAC) to make voting processes and technology more 
accessible. We are partnering with OpenIDEO on this challenge. OpenIDEO 
is an open innovation platform that taps into the scale of social 
networks to tackle challenges for social good. This challenge is one way 
we are exploring new ideas for improving elections. For more about our 
project, go to http://elections.itif.org 
<blocked::http://elections.itif.org/>.

*What should you do next?*
To start, read the challenge brief 
(http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html 
<blocked::http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/brief.html>) to get a 
sense of the scope and direction for the challenge.

Then head over to OpenIDEO 
(http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/inspiration/ 
<blocked::http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/inspiration/>). Browse 
through some of the ideas that have already been posted. Create an 
account, and you can add your own comments to the discussion, or post an 
Inspiration of your own.

As experts in accessible design and working with people with 
disabilities, you will bring a knowledge of what works, and where 
we need new ideas. Your voice in the discussion will help thousands of 
designers understand not only the need for better accessibility, but how 
to make it a reality.

We're relying on your input to ensure that the work we do together is 
thoughtful, grounded, and has a real potential for impact.

*Is the site accessible?*
The OpenIDEO team is working to improve the accessibility of the site. 
We know it's not optimal, but they are working to get there. If you have 
ideas or comments to improve the OpenIDEO site, write 
tohello at openideo.com <blocked::mailto:tohello at openideo.com> and the 
community managers will make sure your feedback is heard.

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