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The Challenge
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How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone?
Concept
Head tracking for interaction
With disabilities, there is no single fix for adapting the voting booth. At a minimum, the ability to control the head is the most common, so this booth can be customized with head-based interactions, along with visual, sound, and touch-based input.
For those who are severely physically disabled, the poll worker would fold away the seat, place the headset on the voter, turn on the camera, and begin the video display to calibrate the head-tracking camera.
The voter would blow into the microphone to begin, and to confirm choices.
For voting on yes/no propositions, a simple head shake or nod, followed by a blow for confirmation.
For voting for officials, the video or audio display will cycle through each candidate, with a "yes" nod for the one candidate, and a "no" shake for those not chose. Error handling, such as when the system finds that two candidates have been voted for, will validate each step, and start over if necessary.
When finished, the voter will receive either printed or emailed confirmation that they voted today, and optional foursquare/twitter connectivity for badges and check-ins:
http://blog.foursquare.com/2010/10/28/check-in-and-vote-on-foursquare/
... and, of course an "I voted" sticker.
How will this concept improve election accessibility for everyone?
The advances made in helping the disabled vote - and done in such a way that the voter is sure about WHAT and WHOM they are voting for - will improve the experience for all. Digital interfaces can communicate much more clearly than paper, and have the ability to go back and summarize the voters' choices for confirmation. These methods could be carried into the future in the form of online voting and paper reduction.
Also, with connectivity to Foursquare/ Twitter/Facebook, the social expectation and peer pressure to vote is positively reinforced.
Furthermore, when voters of able body see the steps and consideration that have been put into ensuring those who are disabled have the right to vote, perhaps that will spark the importance, for them, in terms of civic duty and participation.
Also, with connectivity to Foursquare/ Twitter/Facebook, the social expectation and peer pressure to vote is positively reinforced.
Furthermore, when voters of able body see the steps and consideration that have been put into ensuring those who are disabled have the right to vote, perhaps that will spark the importance, for them, in terms of civic duty and participation.
How well does this concept adapt to the changing needs of different voter communities?
The ability to customize the booth for different needs addresses this concern, and the human aspect of a properly skilled poll worker will benefit those who are uncomfortable with technology.
What kinds of resources – whether time, money, people, partnerships, technology or otherwise – will be needed to get this concept off the ground?
The design of the system needs to incorporate not only the design of the interfaces, camera, hardware, and software, but also the back-end connectivity to a secure and verifiable "ballot box" all while maintaining the privacy of the voter. We would need the cooperation of the Federal Election Commission, as well as individual state and local Election Departments. The Dept of Health and Human Services, with ADA counseling, would need to be involved. We would also need to incorporate time and money for the training of poll workers. Money for voting booth setups would be substantial, as most voting places are only temporarily borrowed.
Partnership with Microsoft, for use of the technology behind Kinect, as well as for much of the hardware, would be necessary. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would therefore be a good partner for financial support, as well as the US Government. Braille displays are particularly expensive, however, and there would need to be extra money or partnerships involved in acquiring them. However, as large numbers would be incorporated into voting booths, this would perhaps cause a price drop; an economic benefit for those who could not afford one before, and this potential could also lead to partnerships.
Partnership with Microsoft, for use of the technology behind Kinect, as well as for much of the hardware, would be necessary. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would therefore be a good partner for financial support, as well as the US Government. Braille displays are particularly expensive, however, and there would need to be extra money or partnerships involved in acquiring them. However, as large numbers would be incorporated into voting booths, this would perhaps cause a price drop; an economic benefit for those who could not afford one before, and this potential could also lead to partnerships.
Comments
February 22, 2012, 05:04AM
Sarah Spitler
February 21, 2012
09:51PM 457 views 1 comment 2 applause Bookmark terms and conditions
09:51PM 457 views 1 comment 2 applause Bookmark terms and conditions
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