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Disabled people

Improving access to information about the electoral process for disabled people

Disabled people are not one single homogeneous group and different people encounter very different access barriers. While it is important to consider how we deliver information about the electoral process to all disabled voters, we have gone into more detail with two groups that are particularly affected by inaccessible information. These are people with visual, and communication or learning impairments. We have also provided information about producing materials in accessible formats such as Braille, large print and audio.

How to:

Help people with visual impairments »
Help people with communication and learning impairment »
Produce materials in accessible formats »

Don't forget to look at our toolbox and case studies for resources and real life examples on providing accessible information.

How to help people with visual impairments

There are two million people in the UK with a sight problem and they all have a right to receive accessible information about elections and voting. There is also a legal duty to meet the information needs of people who are blind and partially sighted under Section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act. To ensure that you are meeting the information needs of people with a visual impairment, you may want to consider the following:

Compile a list of everybody in your local area who requires information in Braille, audio tape or large print. You can do this by working with the sensory impairment team in your local council (if you have one) or by contacting local disability charities. Then whenever you send out information make sure the people on this list automatically get information in their preferred format.
Ensure that all printed information you produce adheres to RNIBs clear print guidelines. This includes ensuring that the font size is no smaller that 12 point, that you don't use high gloss paper (as the reflected light can make it difficult to read) and the contrast between the typeface and the background is clear.
Make sure that your website complies with accessibility guidelines. For example there is clear contrast between the font and the background
Provide information though talking newspapers. There are over 500 local talking newspapers across the UK. They record local news and information into audio format for blind and visually impaired people. You can find out if there is a talking newspaper for your area by contacting the Talking Newspaper Association.
Work with disability support groups to distribute information. Make sure support workers are aware of the electoral process and what support is available, for example the fact that disabled people may take a companion with them to the polling station, or that polling stations have tactile voting templates and large print ballot papers available to assist with voting.

How to help people with communication and learning impairments

Society is becoming more aware of the needs of people with communication and learning impairments. Again, there is a wide spectrum of barriers that may prevent people with these impairments from accessing information.

Learning and communication impairments can be acquired at any stage of a persons life. For example one possible outcome of a stroke is that a person may find it difficult to process text. When this happens an individual may find it difficult to ask for assistance so support needs to be provided sensitively.

It is important to realise that learning impairments do not mean that a person will not understand how the electoral process works. All that needs to be recognised is that some people may need appropriate support with some aspects of the electoral process.

You might want to work with local learning disabled groups to ensure that people with a learning disability have access to assistance when registering to vote. You may want to develop a card people can present to the polling clerk on election day which states that they have a learning disability and may require assistance.
Some people prefer to get information graphically. This does not necessarily mean they cannot read text but symbols can help to confirm what they think the text is saying. For example having posters in a polling station which illustrate the voting process through symbols can help people understand how to vote. Other important documents relating to registration and voting could also be produced in this format. The Electoral Commission has an easy read guide to voting which you can distribute to disability groups in your area.
The layout of the text on printed materials is also important. Dyslexic people may be able to read text more easily if the type, colour and size of text are chosen with care.
If you have a telephone helpline it important to train your staff to be able to take calls from learning disabled people.

How to produce materials in accessible formats

The Electoral Commission have a range of public information leaflets and forms available in Braille, large print and audio format. We also have an illustrated easy read guide to voting for people with a learning disability. See our catalogue for more information.
The Electoral Commission also provides guidance on access to polling stations.
The Disability Rights Commission produce a Disability Right to Vote pack.
The RNIB 'See it Right' guidelines provide practical advice on designing, producing and planning for accessible information.
The first project of its kind in the UK, Capability Scotlands Virtual Polling Station is an excellent example of providing electoral advice and information to disabled people. Visit www.vote.org.uk.
A briefing for MPs on the Electoral Administration Bill 2005 by RNIB, Scope and Sense provides useful advice on promoting registration to people with disabilities.