When the average person heads to the polls, it’s usually an easy ‘in-vote-out’ process. However, even getting to a polling place can be difficult if you’re differently-abled.

Join us at September’s Ideas Forum on 9/11 at 7:00 pm via Zoom to learn about barriers and services available.

How do you fill out a ballot privately if you’re blind, unable to write, or can’t reach the polling booth’s desktop? Disability Voting Rights Week, which aims to raise awareness about the obstacles to voting for the disabled community, is September 9-13.

This event is free, but please register.

Our panelists for this program include:

Brandy Johnson – Board for the Illinois Chapter of the United Spinal Association
Professor Johnson is a decorated and widely published Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School. While in private practice, she specialized in Illinois and Missouri workers’ compensation law and appellate advocacy and gained experience in premises liability, personal injury, product liability, and other areas of insurance defense. She serves on the board for the Illinois Chapter of the United Spinal Association.

Patti Gregory-Chang –  National Federation of the Blind
Patti Gregory-Chang graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1988 and worked in the City of Chicago Law Department for twenty-eight years. In 2016, Patti embarked on a second career, accepting the position of Director of Outreach for the National Federation of the Blind, the largest organization of blind people in the world. She is currently the Second Vice President of the Illinois affiliate of the NFB. She has served on its National Board of Directors and worked as national scholarship committee chair for many years.

Rebecca Leder – Will County Clerk’s Office
Rebecca Leder has served Will County residents for almost 10 years as the senior election analyst at the Will County Clerk’s Office. She assists and supervises elections, administers the Will County Clerk’s website, and educates voters on social media and at events. Rebecca serves on the board of Bridges to a New Day, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence and providing therapy for those who cannot afford it.

Before the meeting, visit the American Association of People with Disabilities website to learn more about its mission.

By the way, is there a topic you’d like to learn about at upcoming Ideas Forums? If so, please send your ideas to lwvnaperville.programming@gmail.com.