Initiative Focuses on Educating Disabled Voters

If the approximately 11,000 county residents with disabilities turn out at the polls, David Long figures elected officials and candidates will take notice.

"I really believe that if the people with disabilities in Washington County would get out and register to vote, and they actually do go out and vote ... it will grab the attention locally," said Long, an adviser to People First of Washington County, an initiative of the county board of developmental disabilities to advocate for disabled individuals.

WASCO CEO Jan Powell said individuals with disabilities have a vested interest in the political process. "Many times the decisions of the legislators affect people with disabilities," she said.