“Sip ‘n puff” capability developed for voters with limited dexterity

Diebold Election Systems has developed a new device that enables accessibility appliances such as “sip ‘n puff” technology, jelly switches, foot switches and other accessibility apparatus to cost-effectively interface with new and existing Diebold AccuVote-TSX and AccuVote-TS touch-screen voting stations. The Universal ADA Interface Device (UAID) facilitates accessibility features to further enhance the ability of physically challenged voters to independently and privately make candidate selections and cast ballots.

Devices such as a sip ‘n puff mechanism enable voters with limited hand dexterity to navigate through the entire ballot, review their selections and cast their ballot by simply breathing into or sipping on a small tube. The compact UAID enables physically challenged voters to use accessibility devices to complete the entire voting process at one location, eliminating the need for a voter who is physically challenged to navigate through the precinct to cast a ballot.

"Voters with physical disabilities are excited to hear that additional accessible user interfaces, such as the sip ‘n puff, are becoming an option when casting their vote,” said Irene Moses, a renowned accessibility consultant who specializes in election accessibility studies and disability sensitivity training.  “Election equipment that has a choice of adaptive features such as a sip ‘n puff allows more voters with unique disabilities to cast an independent and secret ballot. This additional option on election equipment advances the spirit and the laws of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For people with disabilities, voting is the first step to empowerment."

Diebold Election Systems has been at the forefront of voting system accessibility for years, and its systems are designed so that new accessibility features can be easily added to existing equipment and incorporated into new products. Voice guidance capability is available with each and every AccuVote-TSX and AccuVote-TS touch screen unit deployed nationwide. The lightweight, tethered ADA telephone-style keypad provides an excellent, versatile voter interface alternative for voters who are blind or who need to place the ADA keypad on the tray of their wheelchair due to dexterity issues. The AccuVote-TSX voting tablet can be positioned at a right angle so voters in wheelchairs, using their finger, head-pointer or mouth stick, can more conveniently reach the touch screen to complete the voting process. 

The UAID interface offers a series of ports that can support a wide variety of accessibility devices. The flexibility of the UAID even enables a voter using a sip ‘n puff device to reverse the action needed to make a selection, puffing in place of sipping to advance through the ballot, accommodating the specific preference of the voter. The UAID will soon be submitted for federal qualification, then will be made available for use by jurisdictions using new and existing Diebold touch-screen systems.

            Diebold Election Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Diebold, Incorporated, a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery systems and services. Headquartered in Allen, Texas, Diebold Election Systems provides high-quality voting technology to jurisdictions of all sizes, along with comprehensive service and support capability, and is committed to elections accuracy, security and integrity. For more information on Diebold Election Systems, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dieboldes.com, or call 1-800-433-VOTE.