Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY
CIDNY Poll Site Accessibility Survey – Summary of five election surveys
Still Unable To Get In The Door
In its fifth polling site accessibility survey, CIDNY found that an overwhelming majority of New York City polling
sites make voting difficult or impossible for the 1.6 million voters with disabilities. Like the four previous surveys,
entryway problems into the sites are likely to have missing, inadequate or poorly placed signage for accessible
entrances, locked doors at those entrances with no door monitors, missing or poorly constructed ramps, and debris
or obstructions in entryways. In fact, three quarters of the sites that had barriers, had barriers that created
problems with entering the site.
CIDNY poll site accessibility surveys were conducted on November 2003, March 2004, September 2004, November
2004 and November 8, 2005. Of the 212 unique sites surveyed, 133 (63%) had barriers at least once.
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November 2003
March 2004
September 2004
November 2004
November 2005
31 Sites, 14 Sites or 42% with Barriers
44 Sites, 30 Sites or 68% with Barriers
35 Sites, 15 Sites or 43% with Barriers
85 Sites, 52 Sites or 61% with Barriers
77 Sites, 57 Sites or 74% with Barriers
Latest Survey: Election Day 11/8/05
77 sites were surveyed: 74 percent of the sites had barriers
20 of the sites (or 26%) were barrier-free
34 of the sites had 1 barrier
24 of the sites had 2 or more barriers
Of the barriers identified:
26 were entryway problems
28 were exterior signage problems
30 were ramp problems
14 were interior access problems
1 had interior signage problems
Of the 78 sites, 20 had been surveyed in past elections
Of the 20 sites previously surveyed:
7 showed some improvement, but 7 sites had more barriers
6 sites remained the same
Definition of Barriers
Ramps
 Missing ramps at designated accessible entrances
 Ramps that are missing handrails and/or guardrails
 Ramps that have platforms not level with the entrance or with the sloped portion of the ramp
 Ramps that have a slope steeper than 1:12
 Ramps that are poorly constructed or constructed with inappropriate materials such as warped wooden planks
or rusted metal
Exterior Signage
 Missing, inadequate or poorly placed signage indicating the location of an alternate accessible entrance
 Missing, inadequate or poorly placed signage directing voters to an alternate accessible entrance
 Missing, inadequate or poorly placed signage marking the accessible entrance
Entryways
 Locked or narrow gates leading to the accessible entrance
Poll Site Survey Summary 2005
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Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY
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Broken, cracked, uneven surfaces leading to the accessible entrance
Debris left in pathways to entrance (for people using walkers, wheelchairs, canes or scooters debris like small
chairs, boxes or even paper on the floor can make it dangerous or impossible for them to pass)
No door monitor at alternate accessible entrances
Locked accessible entry doors and doors without handles that can only be opened by someone from the inside
No working or easy to use system to notify someone that entrance is required
Thresholds higher than ¾” at entrances designated accessible
Door props that extends into the doorway, impeding access for a person who uses a wheelchair
Interior Signage
 Missing, inadequate or poorly placed signage directing voters from an alternate accessible entrance to the
voting area
Interior Access
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Debris, furniture and other items left in hallways leading from entrance to voting area
Small, crowded voting areas that make access for an individual who uses a wheelchair or scooter difficult or
impossible
Voting machines and furniture set up close together, creating narrow pathways and aisles in the voting area
Dim or dark voting areas and hallways
Poll Site Survey Summary 2005
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