BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Nov. 6, 2012, millions of Americans will walk into polling places to vote for the president of the United States. Unfortunately, millions who can't walk won't. According to research published in "Social Science Quarterly," access to voting sites, reduced mobility and transportation troubles are among the reasons more than three million disabled Americans did not vote in the 2008 presidential election. Amramp represents one potential solution to this problem.
Amramp manufactures and delivers steel ramps for disabled access to residential, commercial and municipal buildings and rents ramps for special events, such as elections. Its 45 franchises in the United States and Canada erect low-cost modular ramps for rent or sale, usually within 24-48 hours.
Helping the non-weight-bearing population vote isn't a partisan issue. The study, authored by Rutgers University associate professor Lisa Schur and Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University director of research Meera Adya, notes that there are no significant differences in party affiliation or views between people with and without disabilities.
Lack of access is a problem at a surprisingly high number of polling places.
A report by the Government Accountability Office, which is the investigative arm of Congress, estimated that only 27.3 percent of polling places used for the 2008 election had no potential impediments from parking to the voting area. Some 45.3 percent had potential impediments but offered curbside voting. The other 27.4 percent had potential impediments and did not offer curbside voting.
Doing one's civic duty is important to the Boston company. In its 14 years, Amramp has a history of working closely with organizations such as Rebuilding Together, the ALS Society, Homes for Our Troops, Wounded Warriors Program, Volunteers of America and NeighborWorks America.
"Amramp's No. 1 issue this election day is making sure that every American who wants to vote in person can do so with dignity," said Julian Gordon, Amramp's founder and president. "Our 45 franchises are ready to serve."
For more information on Amramp, please call (888) 715-7598 or visit www.amramp.com.
About Amramp
For more than a decade, Amramp has been serving the non-weight bearing population with the satisfaction of easy accessibility to and from destinations and in-home mobility with exceptional products, superior customer service and unique distribution method via invested franchise partners. Amramp operates the largest steel-manufacturing factory in Boston with 30-50 hands-on employees and ships parts to local and regional stocking warehouses across the country ensuring availability within 24-48 hours. Both environmentally and socially responsible, Amramp uses 100 percent recyclable steel and partners with local operations to increase accessibility for the most vulnerable of the population. For more information about Amramp and franchise opportunities, visit franchise.amramp.com.
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