Here is important information about voting in Texas if you have a disability:

In every federal election each polling place will offer at least one type of accessible voting equipment.

Accessible voting systems can accommodate no vision, low vision, no hearing, low hearing, limited manual dexterity, limited reach, limited strength, no mobility, low mobility, or any combination of the foregoing except the combination of no hearing and no vision.

Each polling place is required to meet strict accessibility standards, such as ground floor access, curb cuts to the entrance, wide doors, and other barrier free elements.

Voters with disabilities may receive assistance in voting from either election officials or a person of their choosing. A voter may not receive assistance from his/her employer or someone from a union. The voter does not have to provide proof of disability.

If a person asks for assistance from an election official, a poll watcher or election inspector is allowed to observe the process.

A voter who does not understand English, or communicates using sign language, may bring an interpreter to assist him/her with voting. If the voter cannot bring someone, he/she should contact a local election official and request that an interpreter be available at the polling location. Be sure to specify what type of interpreter is needed (for an oral language other than English or for sign language).

Curbside voting is allowed during early voting or on Election Day. It is advisable to call an election official ahead of time if curbside voting will be needed.

If you are over the age of 65, have a disability, or will be out of town on Election Day, you may vote by mail. Click here for instructions on voting by mail: www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml

In some counties, the Democratic Party staffs volunteers who will provide transportation to voters who are elderly or disabled on Election Day. These volunteers will not ask for money, and will not ask who you are voting for or what your party affiliation is. It is advisable to contact the office ahead of time as there may be a waiting list or transportation schedule. For a list of the Democratic Party offices in Texas, click here: www.txdemocrats.org/party/counties

Information for this blog post was taken from: www.votetexas.gov/voters-with-special-needs/

Do you enjoy stories with characters who are blind or visually impaired? Here are some fictional stories about people with visual impairments. Some have been visually impaired all their lives and are used to navigating life with assistive technology and other resources. Others are in the process of losing their sight and are frustrated and anxious but persevere despite their struggles. This short list includes books in various genres; from romances to suspense to science fiction and even includes a Pulitzer Prize Winner.

Title: ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE
Author: DOERR, ANTHONY, 1973-

When Paris is invaded by the Nazis, Marie-Laure LeBlanc’s father evacuates her to St. Malo to stay with her great-uncle. Blind since the age of six, Marie-Laure must learn the town by the scale model her father has left. Then, the Germans arrive. Violence and descriptions of sex. Bestseller. Pulitzer Prize Winner. 2014.
DB 79182

Title: BLUE SKIES
Author: ANDERSON, CATHERINE (ADELINE CATHERINE)

Carly Adams, born with lattice dystrophy, waited twenty-eight years to see. Celebrating her new vision with a friend at a bar, she meets Hank Coulter. Their brief encounter leaves her pregnant. Companion to Phantom Waltz (DB 53982, BR 15334). Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. DB 57957

Title: COMING TO MY SENSES
Author: RICE, PAM

Elderly widow Addie Marsh is losing her eyesight due to macular degeneration. Fighting to keep her lakeside home, she refuses to move to an assisted living facility. Instead, she learns to cope, deriving strength from her memories, a support group, and the friendship of a new neighbor abused by her boyfriend. 2001.
DB 56381

Title: DEAREST ROGUE
Author: HOYT, ELIZABETH, 1970-

Hired to protect Phoebe, the blind sister of the Duke of Wakefield, former soldier James Trevillion is determined to keep her safe. Initially irritated by her bodyguard, Phoebe comes to rely on James, especially after a kidnapping attempt forces the two closer together. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2015.
DB 81933

Title: KNUCKLEDUSTER
Author: POST, ANDREW, 1984-

Nicknamed Knuckleduster for his weapon of choice, Brody, who is blind, works as a vigilante for hire to pay for expensive batteries for his vision implants. When he leaves the city at the request of a friend, he uncovers a conspiracy. Violence and strong language. 2013.
DB 76476

Title: HOME BEFORE DARK
Author: WIGGS, SUSAN

With her eyesight failing, photojournalist Jessie Ryder wants to see the daughter she gave up for adoption to her sister sixteen years earlier. Returning to her Texas hometown, Jessie confronts her sister and daughter–and meets a man. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.
DB 57014

Title: UNEXPECTED GIFT
Author: KING, BERNA

Veterinarian Scott Benson asks blind rehabilitation teacher Shannon Martin to help his daughter Rachel, who lost her sight in a car accident that killed her mother. Scott and Shannon begin a romance and deal with serious family issues with the help of God. 2013.
BR 20308/ DB 77573

Title: WWW: WAKE; THE WWW TRILOGY, BOOK 1
Author: SAWYER, ROBERT J

When a Japanese researcher proposes another eye operation to the tech-savvy, mathematical genius and blind fifteen-year-old Caitlin, she jumps at the chance to have an experimental signal-processing implant inserted behind her eye. But instead of sight, Caitlin’s mind visualizes the Internet and detects an enigmatic entity within. 2009.
BR 18658/ DB 69237