Accountability Starts with transparency: The fight for ID accessibility
A state-issued photo ID is the key to housing, healthcare, banking, and voting.
Yet, for Missourians who are homebound or live with severe physical disabilities who cannot physically visit a license office, obtaining a photo ID is a major barrier to these things and much more.
The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has recently cooperated with our Missouri State ID Access Coalition to help with individual cases. However, there is no public-facing way for a homebound individual to request these accommodations directly from the state.
Instead, homebound residents must rely on private charities and non-profits to act as intermediaries between them and their government, or use an obscure, hard-to-find email to request more information. While our coalition is proud to assist, the responsibility of making state services accessible rests solely on the Department of Revenue, not on third-party organizations.
To fix this systemic gap, the Missouri State ID Access Coalition sent a formal letter of request to DOR Director Trish Vincent outlining a clear path toward modern digital accessibility and compliance:
We have requested that the DOR immediately update its infrastructure to include:
A Prominent Accommodation Portal: A clear webpage detailing the rights of homebound individuals and available accommodations.
Direct Submission Capabilities: A dedicated digital form allowing residents to request accommodations directly without third-party intervention.
A Dedicated Phone Number: A publicized phone line specifically for initiating accommodation requests.
The Coalition has asked the DOR for a clear timeline on these vital tools and look forward to sharing updates with our community as this situation evolves.
True accessibility isn't about making ad-hoc exceptions; it is about permanent, transparent solutions that respect the independence of every Missourian.
Every resident deserves direct access to their government.
Sign up for Missouri State ID Access Coalition emails to stay up to date on our next steps in this campaign.
The Ashrei Foundation serves as the Missouri State ID Access Coalition’s backbone organization and administrator of the organization sub-grant program.
