Sight Loss Services

Newsletter

-January 2008-


Contents
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Help American Vote Act

We Need Your Help

Calling All Artists or Would Be Artists

 

Help America Vote Act


HAVA requires each polling location have at least one voting system accessible to individuals with disabilities, including non-visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.
                                                                                             


The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal

      The ES&S (Elections Systems & Software) AutoMARK is a breakthrough ballot-marking technology that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently when using an optical scan voting system. It does not tally or store votes; rather, it is a ballot-marking system designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way. In addition, the technology provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions.
      The ES&S AutoMARK guarantees that an optical scan balloting device will capture voter intent. No more over-votes. No more miss-marked ballots. Unique software applications ensure that no more than the proper number of candidates can be chosen for each race. An audio function allows blind voters or those with severely impaired vision to listen to the choices through headphones. The audio is a synthesized voice enabling the voter to control the speed in which the ballot is read. Voters can also choose to repeat the choices, if necessary. The audio function also allows a voter to review a marked ballot after their choices are made. The system supports write-in candidates.
      A sip/puff tube is used by voters who are not able to use the touch screen or touch pad. A zoom feature enables the voters to increase the font size of each race listed on the optical scan ballot. This may be especially helpful for voters who are sighted but have limited vision.                                              essvote.com

      Absentee ballots are still available from your town clerk’s office.

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We Need Your Help!

 Our mission to provide quality services to the visually impaired on Cape Cod and the Islands is one that was established in 1980 and one that has continued to meet a critical need within the community since then. We are forever thankful for your past assistance through financial support and volunteerism but in addition there are many other ways you can also make a difference.

1. Financial Support: Make an individual contribution; annual membership; financial support of our “No show” appeal; make a donation in someone’s memory; ask that donations be directed to SLS in memory of a loved one; make a donation in honor of a special event, i.e. milestone birthday, anniversary, act of gratitude, etc.
2. Community Group: Tell your group or club about our services and ask them to make a donation – perhaps adding us to their annual budget.
3. Town Meeting: Consider taking the microphone on town floor and commenting on our services. You will be emphasizing the value of your tax dollars to your fellow residents, Finance Committees, and Human Services Committees and you may be unknowingly helping someone who might benefit from our services down the road.
4. Letters of Support: Write a letter telling how our services have benefited you. We include these letters as an important part of our requests for funding. They make a huge difference in whether a funding source will award us financial support. Your identity is protected.
5. Fundraising Appeal: In addition to financially supporting our annual “No Show” fundraising appeal, you can supply us with the names and addresses of friends and family members who might be willing to support this appeal with a donation.
6. Matching Gifts: Many companies will match the donations of their employees and retired employees through a Matching Gift program.
7. Bequests:  You can convey a bequest to our agency in your will.
8. Board of Directors: Consider a position on our Board of Directors. Directors represent our organization on the community level. They advocate for the need for our services, investigate ways to secure the funds we need to operate and are dues-paying members who participate in special events that raise money on our behalf. Terms are 2 years and meetings are quarterly.
9. Volunteer Opportunities: We are always in need of volunteers to serve as drivers, friendly visitors, etc. which only take a few hours a month.

Please consider these options if possible. Thank you.

     

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Calling all artists or would-be artists


If you have been wanting to take up a new hobby or continue on with an old one, here’s your chance.
With funding from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, classes in drawing and painting for the visually impaired will be offered some time this Spring. Take your creativity in a new direction. To sign up, please call Sight Loss Services at 508-394-3904 or 1-800-427-6842

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