Interview with Starr

With efforts underway to enhance the political power of people with disabilities by increasing voter registration and engagement, Starr shares her personal experience with accommodations and access to election information and voting options. She also offers tips and ideas to support others, including exploring resources from the The Arc and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) REV UP Campaign.

Transcript

SIMON BUEHRER: From the Family and Community Outreach Center at OCALI, this is From My Perspective, our Inspiring Change podcast series focused on amplifying the voices and lived experiences of people with disabilities and their families, through stories that inform, challenge, and inspire. 

JEN BAVRY: Welcome to From My Perspective. This is OCALI's Family and Community Outreach Center podcast. In these podcasts, you will hear from people with disabilities, their families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. You'll hear about everyday life, their passions, their interests, their opinions. You'll be inspired. You might laugh or cry. But most importantly, you will better understand what life is like from our perspective. I am your host, Jen Bavry, program director of the OCALI Family and Community Outreach Center. With me today is my colleague, Starr Dobush. Starr supports the work of OCALI's Lifespan Transitions Center as a transition adult living specialist. Through both her work and personal experiences, she has supported efforts to create more inclusive work and community opportunities for people with disabilities. More recently, she has turned her attention to enhancing voter registration, resources, and accommodations for people with disabilities by sharing her own personal experience with access to election information and voting options. As we record this episode, we are in the middle of a National Disability Voter Registration week. I'm really excited to be able to have Starr join me to share her experience and perspective and offer support to others to ensure their voices are heard as we prepare for Election Day 2020. Welcome, Starr, to From My Perspective. 

STARR DOBUSH: Thanks, Jen. Thanks for having me on the podcast. 

JEN BAVRY: Starr, as I mentioned, efforts are underway to increase the political power of people with disabilities by increasing voter registration and engagement, as well as access to election information and voting options. Why is this so important? 

STARR DOBUSH: It's important because every voice and every person counts in our community. We need to be ... and when I say we, I mean, people with disabilities, need to be seen in our local community. We know that we're really missing a large population of voters based on disability, and so I think the push to have more voting rights or voting access is really going to help better our community and our nation. 

JEN BAVRY: Recently, you had an opportunity to share your personal journey with voting and access. Can you share a little bit more about your experience in this journey that you have been on? 

STARR DOBUSH: Sure. So, last year, I saw on Twitter a post for Vote for Access, all call, for people with disabilities to share their accessibility requests when they were voting, and I had recently used the option for the ballot to be read aloud to me. And so I thought, Well, maybe I will add to this conversation, and so I responded, and they emailed me back. I had a pre-screening, and they were very interested in having me speak. In November, I recorded a short 10 minute video, and a part of my clip was used on their five video release for Vote for Access. That can be accessed at voteforaccess.us. And I really highlighted the things in my life that influenced why I thought voting was so important. I reflected back to when I was a kid. I thought about my family, and how they really connected my ideas of voting. I can recall as a kid going to presidential campaigns and hearing campaigners speaking with my mom and, big air docs and hearing those. I guess that just influenced me that I do have a part in our government, even though I was maybe 10. Then when I was probably in fourth or fifth grade, I can remember going to the polling station in the old school push pins that you would actually stylus to vote and thought that was a really cool thing to do. While my mom was casting her vote, I was doing a practice ballot and then got a sticker and thought that was the coolest thing ever. I guess because based on past experiences, I knew that some accommodations did exist depending on what county you lived in and where you ... what state you lived in, you were able to have accommodations. So it really connected with me, and I also realized that my grandma, who at the time was 93-years-old was no longer going to the ballots to vote. She was doing the absentee ballot. And so I would help her fill out the form because she was legally blind, where she would need to mark her signature, so I helped her with a signature card, and I read the whole form out to her, and I was very familiar and comfortable with helping someone with accommodations to vote. Then I thought to myself, why am I not using any accommodations when I've been in the world of accommodations and know that these accommodations exist, but I haven't done it myself. I don't know that it was a stigma or that I thought it would look down on. I'm always comfortable learning new and really don't mind finding out and asking questions because that's the best way to be an advocate for yourself is to know your options. How do you know your options if you don't ask questions. Based on that information, I went and voted in 2019 and requested that voice to speech, and then I told my grandma about that, and she said, oh, yeah, I had used that when I was in my 80s, but I no longer want to go there because I don't want to stand. I said we can offer you a chair and all other ... She's like, no, it's fine. She has a very large visual aid that blows up the ballot even though she does request a large print voting ballot. It was really interesting to have family connections of asking for accommodations and then also being in the field of disability and knowing that there are accommodations. I decided that, yes, I should do this. And so I use those accommodations to really help me understand the ballot issues. And I would say that prior to voting and not using accommodations, I was using accommodations at home when I was researching the issues and the candidates. I was always having my computer read the information out to me. So I thought it was super ironic that I would go and vote and not have that same option. I thought, yeah, maybe this is helpful. I also want to say, in my journey of learning, I figured out how I learn, and I understand more information if it's shown to me and read to me, and so why would I not use those same resources and accommodations to vote for our next leaders in America or in the state of Ohio or in my small town? It definitely, like, synced. I was able to connect the dots and realize that these accommodations should be used in all parts of my life, not just in one area. 

JEN BAVRY: I really like when you talked about just getting excited about voting and being part of having your voice heard and being part of your community early on through your family and through fourth and fifth grade. I remember also being able to do some practice voting too. I think I was in first grade and we were able to do it. And it was just cool to experience it. But through those experiences and starting to figure out that process you've mentioned that you would do some things on your own to figure out how you could understand the ballot, figure out what would help support you in casting your vote when it actually came time later on in life to be able to do that. How has that supported your learning style and being able to cast a ballot and have your voice heard? 

STARR DOBUSH: Definitely. I just also want to add that I think because of my family community or family experiences, I was able to know that those accommodations exist, and maybe making that opportunity known for every kid, no matter their disability, I think is a really good key to starting that self advocacy for voting and standing up for what you want in your community. We should be giving our students and our youth those opportunities at a very young age. No matter their disability because they need to know what it's like to be in a presidential campaign or go to the local voting or even know that there's local voting polls around. But then there's also a 365 day office that's devoted to voting. I didn't realize that until I was in my 20s, and that was more because I was again traveling and knew that I wouldn't be able to vote on November 2nd, or realizing that you can vote prior to the real date. I had no idea. And so I think that reading through the local web pages and then also just going to some webinars that I hear on Facebook or on Twitter that are posting, Vote Access and REV UP the vote, and other organizations such as the Arc send out information on how to vote on those issues. I think that really helped me to know how many more resources are out there. Going back to how I learn, I realized that if I wanted to really understand something, I had to have it simplified as well as being read aloud to me. I was more so just using the built in speech navigation that I could highlight text and have it read aloud to me the specific information. But I thought it was interesting how each issue you could look at that before you went to vote and that there was a ballot that you could see prior to voting. I think in the future, that would be really helpful instead of physically going to a location that I could vote on my own at my house. But I understand that we're still continuing to make sure security is an issue. I also understand that it may not be accessible for some people because they want to be in that physical location to show people in their community that they have the same options as you, a person without a disability. And so I understand both sides of that coin, to be able to vote on your own, but then also to be able to vote at your house, you're stopping that community influence or that ripple effect of inclusion, because people aren't seeing you in your community casting those votes. And so when I realized that I could download a ballot and read it out prior to going to the polling station, that really helped me understand because it's not always the clearest. Are you for a levy or are you against a levy? And the way that's worded is not always very understandable. And so you have to pull out the dictionary and define what those words really mean. I have found some websites that poll the candidates that are for the state level, they don't go as rural as my community, but I also read a lot of local newspapers, and my husband and my mom are not always on the same token when they're voting. We talk about a support system, and we know that you can have people that come with you to vote. I don't think I knew that until a few years ago. And so, knowing that ... having those conversations prior to going to the polling place, really I understood more of why I was voting for a certain candidate. Because I saw two different sides. I think that's helpful for me because I want to know, well, what would be the other option. Not always the negative or positive action, what are the options so that you can make your own decision and then write that down and record that? Or if you see a levy being passed or not being passed to understand why that didn't pass, and because you don't always understand like, oh, they want money, sure. But you don't realize that when a person's asking for money, that they could also be adding to their property tax. I mean, those were all things that connect with the ballot and understanding that and knowing that you can ask questions prior to going into the poll. Then just when you're in the poll station, feeling comfortable to talk to the people that are there helping to run the polls, I feel more confident asking questions to the main office where I go to vote than to the neighborhood pop up polling stations. I guess that self advocacy piece comes for people to call their local group and polling agency to know that you can request those things and that you should request those things. I know that there's timelines for when you can change your address or when you can register that you are on one party or another party. Those timelines affect if you can vote or not. I think that that's a connection that we need to push, if everyone's using social media, maybe we should post those deadlines on social media, just to give more access and include everyone no matter their ability. I continue to look for resources that are more plain language, and I love YouTube videos. It explains it, and I can see the words. The Arc, the local Arc of Ohio has put out a lot of videos on bigger issues that are nationwide or presidential, they've talked about the candidates, and so because that is ... it's covering more of the nation, it's not just specific to Ohio. 

JEN BAVRY: Yeah, I've been doing some just investigating some of the efforts that are underway right now, and one of the groups, the American Association of People with Disabilities or AAPD is doing the REV UP campaign. I know you've mentioned that, and they've shared several resources. One of the things that they shared or one of the resources that they mentioned is steps to prepare to cast your vote. You've just mentioned a ton of things that fall into this. Again, several of the resources that REV UP campaign has shared talks about helping people to prepare a plan. I think, altogether, there's like five things that they've mentioned that you can look at or consider as part of these steps in preparing to cast your ballot. One is, as I mentioned, making a plan, one is being informed and educated about the election, so that you are aware of the different candidates. You're aware of the different ballot issues. Accessing resources and training, you mentioned the YouTube and then learning about voting options such as absentee ballot, and then of course, asking for help before and on site. Those are some of the key things that really stood out to me to help support anyone that's going to cast a vote, but even more so for an individual who maybe needs additional support or access or accommodations. Walk me through again how you prepare to cast your ballot. 

STARR DOBUSH: Yeah. I like to say that I start two weeks prior to casting a vote, but to be honest, it's probably two or three days prior to casting a vote that I actually pull up the practice ballot. I look at the party candidates, and I see their names and see what their past experiences are. When you get down into the county auditor and things like that, it's not as much information given. They might have a Facebook page. It depends on your region and where you live, and being in a rural area, they don't have as much information, but I'm sure in Cleveland or in Columbus, they would have a lot more website probably and social media connections to hear about. If they mention anything about disability, so I'll just do a Google search and talk about disability and hearing their stance or what they're doing on their platform to better our community. I also look at if they have any connections in the disability world, because I think that really helps me. It actually pulls me to that vote because in politics, you need to see people that are like you making decisions. If you're only seeing a standard decision or a person that's supposed to be representing their local community, I think your local community is a diverse group, and so you should have diverse members in Congress and in Washington, DC, making these decisions or at the state capitol in Columbus making these decisions. I talk with my mom and I talk with my husband about that. I'm going to be 35 next month, but I still connect with people and have a support group about these politics and about what's coming up. I say to them, what are you thinking on these topics so that I can hear their point. Maybe I write some notes down or I go to a website they're talking about or they share a YouTube video with me or send me an email from someone. We do a lot of emailing. I also think it's helpful to get an understanding of the issues, not always the people that are going to be on your ballot. When I live in Ashland County, there's actually like four other counties in this area. When I see something when I'm driving to the grocery store, it's like, vote yes on Issue 12. Then you realize you look at your ballot and you don't have an Issue 12. That's a real learning curve. Like, oh ... I live in this school district and understanding that and knowing what school district and what firehouse is in your area, those are always going to be on the ballot. You need to understand that so that you can make an informed vote and decision. I guess just understanding more of the community you live in can help you to influence the ballot and what you decide to vote on. I know that you plan and you think about transportation. I'm lucky enough to be able to drive. I don't need to worry about that, but I do think about that because I am in the rural country and still have Amish buggies around, but knowing what resources you have in your community to be able to get to the polling place, to be able to vote. 

JEN BAVRY: What about ... if you decide to vote in person, what are some of the things that you have made sure that you've looked into, you've asked about to help prepare you for being able to vote on site? 

STARR DOBUSH: Sure. When I went to the polling place, I actually asked for the accommodations for the first time, and I've only done it once since then because when I requested a vote the next time I can vote, I will ask for accommodations again. When I was voting, I actually went to the office where Ashland County voting is housed. I was able to vote. In that area, they had four carousels and the staff were able to help me with the accommodations that I requested. I would like to use that same accommodation when I go to the local neighborhood pop up polling stations in November when everyone votes. But when I was at the office to vote, I voted a few days ahead of November, the big November vote, and I asked if I could have the ballot read aloud to me. The woman was like, sure, just wait. We only have one because of our community size. That was the request. That was fine, I didn't mind waiting. Then when that person was done, they actually cleaned off the machine, prior to COVID, and cleaned off the earbuds, and they gave me earbuds, and I was able to scroll through on the touchscreen and hear everything being read. Then it would say if I hadn't selected something, I was able to move through the ballot questions. Then I actually started looking at the ballot and was a little concerned because I didn't see some of the people that I had written down on my note. I said, I don't think this is right. She was able to come over and help me and be like, you're Orange County. I was in a different county so I was able to get that fixed. It was no problem. After I voted, there were three issues and maybe five candidates, and the voice commands let me know who I was selecting. I didn't really use it for the people's names or selecting the issue. It was more just to comprehend the issues and read through if there was a levy or if there was a change in the law that they wanted to update. It was really just getting my head around that concept. Even though I had heard it multiple times at home, you're in a new environment, you want to hear it again. Having that opportunity to listen to the ballot really helped me. Then I also, when I was done voting, went out of the polling area into the office, and then continued to ask more questions just because I wanted to know, not that I needed it, but wanted to know, are people able to have this device that they're voting on lowered for if they're in a wheelchair? She said, yes. Then I said, well, are you able to also offer ASL or interpretation? She's like, we've never had that request, so we're not sure, but I'm assuming, yes, we would do that. I said, well, what about different languages? She's like, based on the census, we know that no one in our county requested a Spanish ... or speaks Spanish. We do not have a ballot that is written in Spanish. But then she added that Cuyahoga County in Cleveland, Ohio, does have a ballot that is Spanish, because in the census, people said that, yes, they speak Spanish as their native language. 

JEN BAVRY: Interesting. 

STARR DOBUSH: Yeah! Understanding that your census definitely connects with your ballot was very eye opening to me, as well. Then the last question I asked was, are people able to sit instead of stand? She's like, yes. 

JEN BAVRY: I think these are all important things that any voter, but especially an individual who maybe does need some additional support when they're voting, or accommodations, just to be aware of the process. You asked a ton of questions of the folks in your county, and that's great—or your polling station, and that's great that they were able to answer all those things. Did you find in the research you've done and this, your own personal experience, that you knew about these things before walking into the polling station, or you asked for it and they were able to accommodate? 

STARR DOBUSH: Sure. Going back to asking for accommodations, I thought, most of my life, I've been able to go to school and I've received my master's. In education, whenever you ask for an accommodation, they want paperwork. They want to know. What is the disability? Or even if I go to a job interview and I ask for accommodations for screening tests to have extended time, they want to see that documentation. I thought, I wonder if I can do this. I didn't have anything on me, but I know that I use accommodations in the rest of my life, let me try in this part of my life, as well. I think maybe sometimes people don't realize that, oh, if I was really excelling in school and I was using that accommodation, and now I'm being put in a new environment but being asked to do the same thing, read and understand and comprehend, maybe I should try and use that accommodation here. I think that in high school even ... I was an English teacher. That was my past job. I didn't really tell my students, like, if I'm using this accommodation in the classroom, I better use it when I go to college, but I never said, "And in the community." I think just that idea of changing the way we talk to our youth about being advocates for what they need, it's not just in one environment. It's in every environment that they're connected to. I think that we should tell people that there are accommodations. The only reason I knew that there were accommodations was ties with my family and because I'm in the field of working with disabilities. Not every person is always eager to ask questions, and so we need to honor those people. I know that even though they don't feel comfortable asking questions, they probably still want that resource or that accommodation. 

JEN BAVRY: Let's talk a little bit more about the individual. What are some tips, ideas, things that you would share to help ... I guess equip them and empower them to be an advocate, to have their voice heard and to cast a ballot? 

STARR DOBUSH: Being an advocate means that you know that you have the right to ask for things. That starts at a very young age, and we foster those ideas in their pre-teens, even in childhood, working your way up. You need to be comfortable asking for an accommodation. I have heard other people talk through the videos, vote for access, and through webinars about their experience on how it was to go and vote. I don't think you always hear that. If you don't hear other people's stories, then how do you know that you could ask for the same thing? People don't know you have a disability until you tell them you have a disability in the adult world. That's a big, big curve, I think, for a lot of our youth. There's a lot more options and there's a lot more people that can help you with resources. But there's so many great resources through REV UP access, and I think we're seeing more of a push on social media from those organizations so our youth do know. Ten years ago, I would have had no idea what organizations help with voting. That was not even because I wasn't in this field, but social media, I know that it influences what you select and what you see, but if you are creating a profile that has disability, that's probably going to pop up on your interests or an interesting Facebook email that says, you should join this group. I think that that's really helped to spread the word to our youth that use technology and use social media, that we can have a voice and it can be heard no matter our disability. 

JEN BAVRY: That's actually a perfect point to end on. [LAUGHTER] I guess as we wrap up, I'm looking through all of my questions and you have hit on every single one of them as far as what has worked for you and based off of your learning style. What are some of the accommodations that you have accessed, other ones that might be available, just in your conversation with your own local polling agency? Is there anything else that you want to share about your experience or inspire others, encourage others, an ending statement, that just ... basically get out and vote? Here's ... this is how you can do it? Anything else that you want to share before we wrap up? 

STARR DOBUSH: Sure. Some points that still stick with me today is that you're able to vote before the November date and know that. And know that you need to register, and there's deadlines. I didn't know that. Those are helpful hints. The last thing is the environment that we vote in should be the same environment that everyone else has an opportunity to vote in. I heard a young woman speak, and she was living in Oregon, but she had moved from Ohio. She referenced how being able to vote was really hard for her because of the temperature and the climate. She had to make sure that she was dressed appropriately to go outside. Then when she was in the polling station that she would have a chair to sit on. Understanding all those aspects of going to vote are maybe a lot more checks and a lot more planning before a person can go and vote. But that shouldn't stop you from voting. 

JEN BAVRY: Good point. Great. That's a great point. 

STARR DOBUSH: We don't even think about that! 

JEN BAVRY: No, you don't. I think for some people, it's just a matter of, okay, what time I'm going to be able to get to the voting station, not having to think about all of these other things that could help support you once you get to that voting station. It comes back to that whole idea of having a plan and knowing deadlines, knowing what you need to do, how you can advocate for yourself, to make sure that you can participate in this opportunity to vote. Well, thank you so much, Starr, for sharing your experience and your perspective. 

STARR DOBUSH: Thanks for having me on the air, Jen. It was a real pleasure to talk about access and ballots and my first experience with voting, and I hope to continue to use voting and accommodations through the rest of my life. 

JEN BAVRY: Wonderful. Thanks, Starr, so much. 

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JEN BAVRY: Thank you for listening to this episode of From My Perspective. By sharing the experiences and perspectives of others, I hope you are inspired to take action to support yourself and others in being able to fully participate in the 2020 election. To learn more about OCALI and its resources, including additional From My Perspective episodes, please visit ocali.org. 

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