Cayman Islands Special Needs Voters Train to Cast Ballots

For the first time ever, a unique exercise in empowerment will allow one group of special needs voters to cast their votes in the General Elections on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, with greater confidence.

Fourteen out of 21 registered voters with disabilities at the Sunrise Adult Training Centre (SATC), West Bay, received training from an Elections Office team of six, led by veteran trainer, Mr. Rupert McCoy. With four teachers from the Centre in attendance, the trainees learned how to participate in the voting process and cast their ballots.

“Training focused specifically on the step-by-step process of casting one’s vote,” elaborated SATC Vocational Programme Coordinator Suzzette Stewart. Clients were given the opportunity to practise answering questions regarding their names, addresses and occupations, as well as casting their votes, and taking an oath if they request assistance to cast their vote.

They also received additional tips for any exceptional circumstances. Some clients also applied for mobile voting.

Ms Stewart added, “Through our life skills class, the clients will continue to practice these and other skills that will assist them on Election Day. Occupational therapy will work with clients’ fine motor skills to ensure they are able to ‘make their mark’ on the ballot paper properly.”

The adventure in active civics will not end there.

As part of continued preparation for Election Day, SATC will hold its own mock elections on Friday, 19 May. Clients themselves will participate by campaigning to be elected “Director for a Day”. Programming, and the potential for special events and treats, will be decided by the Director-elect on 23 May, one day prior to the actual General Elections.

“We hope that this centre-wide activity will prove to be memorable and enjoyable final preparations for clients heading to cast their ballots the next day,” Centre Director Ms. Kimberly Voaden explained.

“We have extended the invitation to Mr. McCoy and the rest of the Elections Office training team to attend as ‘independent observers’ to ensure that all polling procedures are carried out correctly and with

integrity,” Ms Stewart added.

“We are indeed grateful to Mr. McCoy and the rest of the Elections Office team for conducting this training. We fully appreciate their hectic schedule; nonetheless they were able to accommodate us for which we are very grateful. The training was exceptionally good and so important for the clients to have this valuable practical experience,” she noted.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. McCoy reiterated that in his 49 years’ experience with the Elections Office, this was the first time that he had conducted training with persons with disabilities. He commented, “In my long tenure with the Elections Office, I can honestly say this has been the most enjoyable experience. After seeing how enthusiastically and how well the trainees responded to the training, I am positive they will be able to do a fine job of casting their ballots on Election Day. I am equal confident that the general public will also do a great job of voting on that day.”

Supervisor of Elections Mr. Wesley Howell noted, “I am truly delighted that the SATC reached out to us and we were honoured to accommodate their request for empowering their registered voter clients so that they can cast their ballots confidently and perhaps even enjoy the process.” He promised, “While this is the first time we have provided such training, it certainly won’t be the last.”

The Elections Office training team included Ms Judith Witter, Ms Salome Henry, Mr. Joel Schneider, Mr. Glenrick Randal and Mr. Sterling Ebanks. Meanwhile, the Sunrise team that assisted consisted of Ms Laki Lee, Ms Samantha McLaughlin, Ms Donna Wilson and Ms Suzzette Stewart.

Photo caption: Photos by Ms Suzzette Stewart, SATC

Clients with disabilities at the Sunrise Adult Training Centre interact with an Elections Office Team who conducted training on the process of voting.