NEWSLETTER OCTOBER '04 (editorial)

It is not an exaggeration to state that our eyes are on the presidential elections in US. Extending it further, and in spite of the efforts made from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, we would like to highlight that not all people with disabilities are able to overcome the accessibility barriers that impede voters in almost every state in USA. A recent poll by the National Organization on Disability in USA found that 21 percent of adults with disabilities - more than 8 million potential voters - were unable to cast their ballots in past presidential and congressional elections because of barriers they faced at the polls or in getting there.

Although there are no official figures, advocates for the disabled estimate that 70 percent of polling places nationwide are not wheelchair-accessible. In this context, we would like to stress once more the importance of the advancement of accessible evoting practices. Enjoy reading about the new associate members that have recently joined the community of e-ISOTIS and the new 2005 workplan on non-discrimination. Also interesting results from a study on lifelong learning for all should not be overpassed, as well as a recent report from the National Council on Disability in USA on Design for Inclusion: Creating a New Marketplace. For those interested in information about institutionalization of people with disabilities in Europe, don

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