1. Advocate on behalf of people with disabilities to ensure their full participation in all aspects of the electoral process including registering to vote, accessing polling places, and casting ballots in the District of Columbia.

a. Pursue legal advocacy to ensure the Board of Election’s full compliance with the provisions of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the Settlement Agreement in AAPD v. District of Columbia through monitoring the accessibility of polling places and voting equipment for people with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments; advising the Board of Elections on compliance; and working with the Board of Elections and Ethics during upcoming redistricting to change or make accessible the inaccessible polling places.

b. Provide education and outreach to the community through trainings and voter registration drives for people with disabilities in both institutional and community settings in advance of the April 3, 2012 presidential primary

c. Monitor DC polling precinct accessibility during the April 3, 2012 presidential primary and issue a report regarding accessibility barriers.

d. Develop and submit to administrative and policy-making bodies testimony and comments on proposed policies, procedures and regulations that impact access to vote by people with disabilities in DC.

e. Provide training to Board of Elections administrative staff and poll workers regarding polling place accessibility, voter registration for people with disabilities, and other disability related issues.

CASE SELECTION CRITERIA

1. ULS accepts cases of those who have disabilities and who are residents of the District of Columbia and whose complaint falls within the aforementioned priorities.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

While we recognize that every situation is important, please note that case acceptance is dependent upon available resources, including staff time. If your case is not accepted and you wish to file a grievance, please submit your grievance in writing to the Executive Director. Current clients may also submit a grievance to the Executive Director about the quality of ULS’ representation. A client may lodge an oral grievance with a ULS staff member who shall put the grievance in writing and submit it to the Executive Director. The Executive Director may be reached at:

Jane Brown, Executive Director
University Legal Services
220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-0198 Phone
(202) 547-2662 Fax
(202) 547-2657 TTY

The Executive Director shall respond in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of a grievance from any client or prospective client, or community member who has an interest in the operation of the protection and advocacy program.

A grievant may appeal the Executive Director’s decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the written decision of the Executive Director. The decision of the ULS Board of Directors shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review. Client confidentiality shall be maintained.

The Executive Director shall report grievances to the Board of Directors annually.