FY2026 (PAVA) hava protection & advocacy: voting access

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living awarded $423,232 to Disability Advocates Inc. (operating as Disability Rights New York) on October 1, 2025, under the Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities–Grants for Protection and Advocacy Systems program (CFDA 93.618), a formula grant supporting voting access and electoral participation for individuals with disabilities through September 30, 2030.

Disability Rights New York will ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities across New York State through education, training, and assistance; conduct advocacy and education efforts around Help America Vote Act implementation; train election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers on the rights of voters with disabilities and best practices for serving them; assist individuals with disabilities in filing complaints under New York's HAVA administrative grievance procedure and represent them in related hearings; provide assistance regarding physical accessibility of polling places; and obtain training and technical assistance on voting issues, including accessible voting equipment and systems. The organization will perform this work in New York. Section 291 of HAVA directs these funds to Protection and Advocacy Systems designated under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to advance electoral access for individuals with disabilities. Funds are awarded annually; the obligated amount for this fiscal year is $423,232.