To request help from the Advocacy Center, call 1-800-960-7705 (Voice or via 711 Relay) or 1-855-861-3577 (TTY) or email advocacycenter@advocacyla.org. Our intake specialist will contact you within 1-2 business days to discuss your issue in detail and determine if AC can help.

3/16/12 - 03:00 PM by Pamela Fisher

Louisianians Speak Out: Vote on Presidential Candidates on March 24th

On Saturday, March 24th, Louisianians will go to the polls to select Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. Voters in some parishes, including Orleans, will also vote on local and parish-wide races. Read on for more information on this election, to find your polling place, and to view ballots.

10/7/11 - 12:00 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Concerned about Disability Issues? Check Out Candidates' Responses

Election Hotline The Advocacy Center surveyed all the candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Senator, State Representative and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education membership.

9/7/11 - 02:40 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Register to Vote Now: Statewide Elections Coming Soon!

Photo of early voting location On October 22, LA voters will go to the polls to vote in races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and other statewide representatives. Voters will also choose their state Representatives and Senators. Voters must be registered by Sept. 21st to be eligible to vote in this important election.

9/7/11 - 12:53 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Advocacy Center’s Executive Director Wants to Talk with YOU!

Photo of Rep. Scott Simon Do you have questions about the work of the Advocacy Center, our priorities for 2012, or thoughts to share? Lois Simpson, AC's Executive Director, will be answering your questions and listening to your ideas on Wednesday, Sept. 14th from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Monday, Sept. 19th from 3:00 pm -4:00 pm.

11/2/10 - 10:41 AM by Stephanie Patrick

Voting Questions? The Advocacy Center Has Answers.

For the last 4 years, the Advocacy Center has staffed a voting hotline to answer questions from people with disabilities and seniors. Questions to the hotline include:

11/1/10 - 07:38 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Access to Vote Is a Fundamental Civil Right

Joe is blind and wants to vote using the audio ballot. When he requests this at the polls, he’s told the audio ballot attachment is broken.

10/1/10 - 03:27 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Do You Have Voting Questions?

On October 2, 2010, the Advocacy Center will mobilize to staff a voting hotline for people with disabilities. People can call or email to find out where they vote, find out what’s on their ballot, complain about a voting problem, or learn more about laws and policies designed to help voters with disabilities.

8/26/10 - 12:40 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Election Hotline Available for People with Disabilities

Voters with disabilities face many barriers in exercising a fundamental civil right: the right to vote. In June 2010, the Advocacy Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of voters in Jefferson Parish alleging its failure to offer neighborhood polling places that are accessible to voters with disabilities.

6/4/10 - 06:35 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Jefferson Parish Polling Places are Not Accessible

Denise Drake is a long-time resident of Jefferson Parish who uses a wheelchair because of significant physical disabilities. Ms. Drake is an active citizen, and votes regularly at her neighborhood polling place. She contacted the Advocacy Center because the ramp at her polling place was dangerously steep and without appropriate safety features.

1/19/10 - 05:10 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Early Voting Accessibility Improving in Orleans Parish

A recently released report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) entitled, “Voters with Disabilities: More Polling Places Had No Potential Impediments Than in 2000, but Challenges Remain”* found that polling place accessibility nationwide increased by 11%, rising from 16% in 2000 to 27% in 2008; however, the majority of sites still pose challenges to the elderly and persons with disabilities, particularly for voters in wheelchairs.”

Voting Questions? Advocacy Center Has Answers.

"You Have the Right to Vote" sign with picture of Uncle Sam

Advocacy Center Staff Answering Voting Questions for People with Disabilities and Seniors

New Orleans, LA, November 2, 2010

For the last 4 years, the Advocacy Center has staffed a voting hotline to answer questions from people with disabilities and seniors. Questions to the hotline include:

Where do I vote?
When do the polls close?
How do I vote absentee by mail?
I’m in a hospital. Can I vote?
I need transportation to my polling place. Are there any resources available?
My polling place is not fully accessible. Can you help?
Who can provide assistance in voting?
How do I file a HAVA complaint?

Once again, Advocacy Center staff are ready to help. Today, from 6 am to 8 pm, the voters can call to report problems or get help - 1-800-960-7705 (Voice) or 1-866-935-7348 (TTY) or email advocacycenter@advocacyla.org.

“We’re so excited for this opportunity to answer voting questions and protect the voting rights of people with disabilities and seniors,” said Stephanie Patrick, director of the Advocacy Center’s voting rights programs. “Hopefully, we’ll get lots of calls.”

###

The Advocacy Center is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities and seniors in Louisiana to achieve maximum potential and independence. The Advocacy Center employs 55 people statewide who assist people to achieve employment, education, housing, and health care goals.