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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- It's your civic duty to vote, but getting to the polls and actually voting is a challenge for some who may be disabled or have impairments.

Tuesday and Wednesday, people who receive services from Arc of Onondaga County were shown how they can access the Image Cast system, which made its debut in New York two years ago. It's called the ballot marking device and is like the machine that everyone uses, but has components to help the disabled.

For people who cannot mark the paper ballot independently and have limited use of their hands, there is also a paddle that can be held. It can also increase the font for those with impaired vision and even reads the ballot aloud to those who are blind.

"By doing this, it will allow somebody who would normally not have access to vote, who would fallen between the cracks or they just don't get out to actually get out and exercise their fundamental right," said Susan Cohen, Voting Access Solutions Director.

Cohen says this component of the Image Cast machine is located at every polling site.
People who need it are urged to ask someone working at the polling site to use it.
If you want a demonstration, Cohen says to contact your local elections office.