Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access – PAVA
The purpose of this program is to ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places. Payments to provide PAVA services are made to the Protection and Advocacy system established pursuant to part C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. §15001).
PAVA may serve people with a disability. Pending any additional clarification, we are using the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of disability:
- A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity;
- A record of such impairment(s); or
- The perception of having such an impairment.
PAVA may provide the following services:
Ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places;
Support training in the use of voting systems and technologies; and
Demonstrate and evaluate the use of such systems and technologies, by individuals with disabilities (including blindness) in order to assess the availability and use of such systems and technologies for such individuals.
NOTE: None of the PAVA funds shall be used to initiate or otherwise participate in any litigation related to election-related disability access