A Publication of Access to Independence, Inc

The Open Door

A publication of Access to Independence, Inc.

Volume 37 • Issue 3 • October 2016

Election Day is November 8

Americans with disabilities must exercise our right to vote. Change cannot be made without at least performing this basic civic obligation. There have been recent court decisions that have made it incredibly confusing to people who are not sure if they need an identification card, or when they can vote early. That is on top of uncertainty about what candidates are on the ballot, and what they stand for. This edition of The Open Door will help clarify the confusion and provide information and resources to ensure we all do better to increase the number of our brothers and sisters in the disability community who vote this November, and all subsequent elections!

Empower People with Disabilities, Improve your Community, Support ACCESS

Bob’s Story

Skills to Obatin Employment

Bob came to Access to Independence to request assistance with his employment search. Bob was having adifficult time finding employment because he was not very familiar with how to do job searches using the computer and necessary websites. An Independent Living Specialist with ACCESS who provides services as a part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program, worked with Bob to gain needed skills. Bob was assisted with learning to use the computer, identifying and using employment websites to look for jobs, and to fill out applications. Bob,who is deaf and primarily uses American Sign Language (ASL), was assisted by having some of the questions explained that he did not understand on the job applications, and how to type his employment history, school experience, and volunteer experience. It was Bob’s desire to obtain an entry-level position at an auto parts store, or a grocery store. A local auto parts retailer was one of the first jobs Bob applied for online. Bob and the staff member went through the application, step by step, and within a few days, he was called for an interview. Days later, Bob was offered the job and now has steady employment.

TESTIMONIALS

ACCESS strives to ensure quality services that make a difference in the lives of those we serve. This is some of the feedback we’ve received:

“…extremely friendly and helped explain the program and options to various devices to help our aging parent. I would highly recommend your services. Thanks you.”

“Very helpful! It’s wonderful that it’s so quick and easy to borrow a ramp and at no charge.”

“Access is a community treasure! I always refer people to ACCESS because they are helpful and have answers.”

”Access to Independence was an excellent resource. I got the information I needed and I talked to someone right away – no waiting! Thank you.”

“…was very respectful to my mother. She is easily overwhelmed by any changes and he calmed her when she had some anxiety. My mother now has more assistance in her home to help her stay in her home.”

“…I am not the most typical client but we succeeded in finding things to help me gain independence.”

Voter ID is required to vote

In late August, a Federal Court ruled that Wisconsin’s Voter ID law is valid, and will be in place for the election. There is no such things as a Voter ID Card, but the following forms of ID are all acceptable:

These photo ID’s can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the November 4, 2014 election):

A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
A U.S. passport
An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. Also, the university or college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment. (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
These photo IDs must be unexpired:
NEW: A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for
45 days)
An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.

WORKSHOPS

Presented by Access to Independence and Disability Rights Wisconsin

Where: Access to Independence

3810 Milwaukee St.

Madison, WI 53714

When: Monday, October 17, 2016

Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm

R.S.V.P. by: Friday, October 14th to Michelle Cordova at
or call (608) 234-4484

*** This includes requests for interpreters, alternate formats, and any other accommodations

Shunette Hunter from Disability Rights WI will discuss:

Why voting matters
Guardianship and Voting
Registering to vote
Absentee Ballots or Early Voting
Acceptable photo IDs for voting
How to get a free photo ID if you do not have one
And your rights as a voter

Please refrain from using scented products for the safety and comfort of those with chemical sensitivities, and from using flash photography at our office.

Vote Absentee (also known as Early Voting)

Any qualified elector (U.S. citizen, 18 years of age, who has resided in the district in which he or she intends to vote for at least 10 days) who registers to vote is eligible to request an absentee ballot. Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse, such as being out of town on Election Day, to vote absentee. Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one. You have several options for requesting an absentee ballot and casting your vote:

By Mail
E-mail or Fax
In-Person at your local Clerk’s Office

Deadline for Returning Your Absentee ballot

Your completed absentee ballot must be delivered no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service recommends absentee ballots be mailed one week before Election Day to arrive in time.

To find your local clerk, and how to contact them to request a ballot or learn what their hours are, you can go to myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyMunicipalClerk. You can also call Access to Independence at 1-800-362-9877, and ask an Independent Living Specialist to look up that information for you if you lack internet access.

No ID – GET ONE, here’s how you can

When applying for an original ID card you must visit a DMV customer service center, complete a Wisconsin Identification Card (ID) application, and provide:

Proof of name and date of birth, for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate, valid passport or certificate of naturalization. (See Document Verification Petition Process if fees arise in order to obtain free ID card for voting).
Proof of identity (usually a document with a signature or photo).
Proof of Wisconsin residency.
Proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal temporary visitor status. (See Document Verification Petition Process if fees arise in order to obtain free ID card for voting).
Your social security number.
*** If you are applying for a free ID card for the first time for voting purposes and your documents to prove U.S. citizenship, name and date of birth, or legal name change are unavailable, you may use this process, and follow these eligibility requirements:
ID Card applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age by the next election and indicate that the ID card is requested free of charge for the purposes of voting; and
ID Card applicants must claim that documents required to prove U.S. Citizenship, name and date of birth and/or legal name change are unavailable and require a fee to a government agency to obtain.
You can use this process to obtain an ID:
Apply at a DMV customer service center
Complete a Wisconsin Identification Card Application form. Social Security number must be included on this application (limited exceptions apply).
Complete a Document Verification Process
Present documents to prove identity and Wisconsin residency (limited exceptions apply)

WAYS TO GIVE

By Mail: Included with this edition of The Open Door is a Donation Slip that looks like money. Simply complete and cut out the slip, along with a check or money order, and send to ACCESS. The address is listed on the slip.

Online: If you go to the ACCESS website, you will see a large, green DONATE HERE button, right at the top of the page. Click on that button to make a donation using your credit or debit card, or through your PayPal account. You can even set your donation to be recurring on a monthly basis, for any amount you’d like.

Mobile: Do you prefer to use your smart phone or tablet? No problem! Go to our website and the DONATE HERE button will appear. Click on that secure link to make a payment by credit or debit card, or through your PayPal account

*** Don’t forget that GIVING TUESDAY, the Tuesday that follows “Black Friday” after Thanksgiving, is on November 29th, 2016. That is one of the most popular days of charitable giving, and we encourage you to make your tax-deductible donation to ACCESS on that day, or any of the remaining days of 2016.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A CANDIDATE

The Disability Vote Coalition has sent out Candidate Questionnaires to all candidates running for State Assembly and State Senate seats this November. The questionnaire addresses disability-specific issues related to long-term, transportation, health care, employment and education. Go to

You can click on the district you live in to see if candidates have responded. If you do not know what district you live in, there will be a way to look that up on the same website. If your candidates do not respond, you will be provided with their contact information to encourage them to do so. Voters can also go directly to a candidate’s website or Facebook page. If you don’t see the issues that are important to you, look up their contact information on those sites, and send a request for more information.