There are at least 26.9 million American adults with vision loss – a staggering 8% of the US population – and even though not all of them are “blind” (about 1 million), there are still many who need help filling out paper documents, accessing technology and completing complex government forms.
Once again, for the 2022 midterm elections, Be My Eyes and Vote.org are teaming up – to make sure that for any American with a visual impairment, the process of registering and preparing to vote is as clear and accessible as possible.
Vote.org uses technology to simplify political engagement, increase voter turnout and strengthen the ability for Americans to participate in their democratic system. At Be My Eyes we are proud to help make one’s right to vote more accessible, and we hope to help make this election the most inclusive yet.
“Our mission at Vote.org is to increase the accessibility of the voting process for all voters,” said Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org. “We’re excited to partner again with Be My Eyes ahead of the midterm elections to ensure individuals who are blind or visually impaired have tools at their fingertips to support their voting journey, making the processes of registering, verifying registration or finding a polling place more accessible. When the process of voting is made easier, more people are able to vote which creates a stronger, more representative democracy.”
If you’re a blind or low-vision person in the US, you can connect with a Specialized Help agent on the Vote.org profile on Be My Eyes - just open the Be My Eyes app, enter the Specialized Help menu and select Vote.org from the list of available organizations (in the “Civic Engagement” category) or click this link on your phone with Be My Eyes installed and go directly to Vote.org's profile. It’s really that simple! Volunteers will be open to take your calls through Be My Eyes Monday through Friday 12pm to 4pm ET.
“Be My Eyes and Vote.org are both committed to ensuring every American’s voice is heard, including those who are experiencing visual challenges” says Matt Wisk, CEO of Be My Eyes, “With a simple click of a button, anyone in need of visual assistance can ensure they are registered through our free mobile app and the eyes of a Vote.org volunteer.”
Via the Be My Eyes app, Vote.org’s tools will help blind voters check if they are registered to vote, guide them through registering if they are not already, and provide information about voting by mail. In a time where social distancing is still a huge part of daily lives for all Americans, it’s more important than ever that everyone has a way to access all necessary information, to make sure that they are motivated and confident about voting come November.
Visually impaired users of Be My Eyes can call Vote.org for help accessing their tools starting today to make sure they’re all set and ready for November 8th. Registration deadlines vary state-by-state, so be sure to reach out to get everything you need to vote using Be My Eyes Specialized Help today.
