A survey of 196 private non-profit disability agencies has found that over half (54%) are "not attempting to meet the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act," which calls for agencies to register individuals to vote. The study was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, as part of a three-year grant called "The Empowerment Project".

The study also found that

69% of agencies do not offer registration at intake.

58% of agencies report having registered fewer than 1% of their consumers in the last year.

31% of responding agencies have not even heard of the NVRA.

Yet all of the agencies "that were informed of their legal obligation to implement the NVRA by a state agency are attempting to implement NVRA requirements," says the study's principal investigator, Kay Schriner. "In this study, this is the best predictor of whether an agency will attempt to implement the NVRA," she said.

"Further analysis shows that the 2nd best predictor of whether an agency is attempting to implement the NVRA is whether they had heard of the NVRA, from any source. "The most promising strategy for improving NVRA implementation at disability agencies appears to be for state agencies to inform disability agencies that they are required to implement the NVRA provisions. These state agencies could be funding agencies, state election officials, or the Secretary of State.

For more information, contact the study's principal investigator, Research Fellow Kay Schriner., Ph.D., Fulbright Institute of International Relations, University of Arkansas at 501.575.6417 (direct) or 501.575.2006 (receptionist).