Letters: 6 reasons Ohioans can trust elections are full of safe, secure
'The frontline workers of our democracy'
Support frontline democracy workers.
A big thank you to our local election officials, who face tremendous obstacles in their work — from the challenges of running an election during a pandemic to continuously bearing the brunt of false election fraud claims.
Election officials and poll workers are the frontline workers of our democracy who work diligently to ensure that elections are safe, secure, and fair for all.
More:Don't mess with election workers in Columbus: You could go to jail
Ohioans can trust elections because they are full of safeguards:
1) Bipartisan teams ensure that every vote counts and that every election is secure.
2) Federal and bipartisan state experts test, examine, and certify all voting equipment as secure;
3) The equipment is safely stored and can only be accessed when unlocked together by Republican and Democratic election officials.
4) Voting machines are thoroughly tested by a bipartisan team to ensure they work properly and are not hooked up to the internet.
5) All precincts are staffed by a bipartisan group of poll workers, and are open to the media and poll observers.
6) After an election, every county conducts a public post-election audit to further ensure accuracy.
More:How secure are your votes? We followed the voting process Tuesday night to see
Every vote is important and when you should cast your vote in the general election, you can do it with the confidence that Ohio elections are fair, impartial, and accurate, and remember to thank your local election workers for moving our democracy forward despite the challenges they face.
Cheryl Roller, League of Women Voters of Columbus
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Recognizing invisible disabilities
When many of us hear the term "disability," our first thought might be a person with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair, someone who walks with a cane, or a person who communicates through American Sign Language.
These disabilities are easily recognized. Others aren’t obvious.
Approximately 66 million Americans have invisible disabilities. An invisible disability is a physical, mental, or neurological condition that isn’t readily apparent based on appearance. These could include conditions like depression, anxiety disorder, chronic pain, dyslexia, or other conditions that impact a person’s movements, senses, or endurance.
More:Letter: Not all disabilities can be seen by outsiders
People with invisible disabilities can be accused of faking or exaggerating their conditions. A common example is a person who uses an accessible parking space but is not using a mobility device, such as a cane or a wheelchair. Strangers may not realize they have a medical condition that limits their endurance or causes walking difficulties.
To raise awareness, Invisible Disabilities Week is celebrated through Saturday, Oct. 22.
In recent years, in line with Gov. Mike DeWine’s Executive Order to make Ohio a disability inclusion state and model employer of disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities has extended its reach to serve more Ohioans with disabilities, many of which could be described as “invisible."
These include middle and high school students, college students, and Ohioans linked to court treatment teams. We’re constantly pursuing new ways to help meet the needs of all individuals with disabilities.
More:Pandemic 'rabbit hole': Reporter reflects on how COVID-19 has disrupted transition to adulthood
We also work with more than 700 employer partners to promote and support the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Most workplaces include employees with invisible disabilities, but many choose not to disclose their conditions
It is valuable for employers to recognize invisible disabilities in the workplace, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities can help provide services and resources that promote an inclusive, diverse, and accessible work environment.
Show your support for Invisible Disabilities Week by wearing blue, or better yet, remember to be kind to others. You never know who might have an invisible disability that is impacting their daily life. If you would like to get started with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, visit OODWorks.com.
Kevin L. Miller, director, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and Kim Jump, chief of communications, Office of Communications
