Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)

Phone Voting End Unit – Critical Feature Analysis

1) Amplification/Gain Level

It is most desirable to have an end-unit telephone with amplification that is as close as possible to the FEC 2002 Voting System Standards (VSS) and the EAC 2005 Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) for the audio output of the audio-tactile ballot. Since the vote-by-phone system does not provide control over the "initial volume" like is available in a closed system audio ballot, a mid-range maximum gain of 40 to 45 dB seems more appropriate than the higher or lower gain end units.

2) Amplification Reset to Default

Both the VSS and VVSG require amplified audio output to default back to the initial “un-amplified” or default level with each new voter. There is no way to provide this protection through the vote-by-phone software. Some products (e.g. Ameriphone) can be set up with the amplification defaulted off so that when the phone is disconnected the amplification feature is disengaged. However, since the volume control is a sliding control, when the amplify feature is re-engaged, the amplification level will return to the level where that sliding control is set. So while the default button helps prevent a new voter from inheriting the previous voters amplified output, poll workers will still be required to manually reset the sliding volume control on all end-units used.

3) Tactile Input

The VVSG requires the tactile input to be identifiable by shape and color. None of the adaptive telephones on the market provide keypads that meet this standard. Some phones do have a keypad that is a little larger than normal, but still compact enough for someone to pretty easily do one hand entry without "re-orienting" tactilely on the keypad for each touch. A few phones have very oversized keypads and those are not likely to be acceptable to individuals who are blind and are adept 10 keypad users. (In fact, it is very likely that most of the blind community would prefer a regular ten-keypad phone, without any adaptations in input or output.) Conversely, such oversized keypads might be helpful for some individuals with motor disabilities who could use bigger motor targets -- but because of the wide variability in motor disabilities, some individuals with motor disabilities will actually find the larger keys more difficult to operate.

The VVSG also requires switch input be available as an alternative to tactile input. The only adaptive telephone operable by switch input is not compatible with the vote-by-phone system, so switch input is not an option. It is unclear how many individuals with motor limitations will opt to use audio output since it is significantly slower and less efficient than visual display. As a result, it is probably reasonable to assume that the vote-by-phone system will primarily be used by individuals who are blind and use of a mid-sized keypad would be most appropriate.

4) Hearing Aid Coupling and Headsets

The VVSG requires any telephone handset used in voting to be compatible with hearing aids via a T-coil and direct connection. Most adaptive telephones allow neck loops and other coupling to occur between a hearing aid and the telephone. The VVSG also requires a sanitized headphone or handset for each voter. The easiest method for complying with this requirement is to use either throwaway headsets or disposable earphone coverings. Headsets are typically interchangeable with most adaptive telephones so once an acceptable headset is found, it should be usable with any phone with a standard headset output jack.

5) Large Print Visual Display

The VSS and VVSG require large print visual display, which the vote-by-phone system does not deliver as no adaptive telephone converts speech output into a large print visual display. However, a number of electronic enlarging devices are on the market, which could deliver this required access feature (if standard paper ballots are used) and would allow for reading and writing of a regular print ballot by voters with visual impairments who cannot or will not use the audio ballot.

Diane Cordry Golden, Ph.D.

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs

dianegolden@sbcglobal.net