New voting system gives blind or low vision voters more choice

Accessibility of electoral information A full fact sheet on the telephone voting system can be found at http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/Fact_Sheets/blv.htm. Essential election information, including the AEC’s ‘Your official guide to the federal election’ currently being delivered to all Australian households, is also available in a range of accessible formats, including large print, e-text and audio at www.aec.gov.au, and in braille and other formats by calling 13 23 26. People who are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment can use the National Relay Service (NRS) to call the AEC. TTY users phone 133 677 and ask for 13 23 26; Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) voice only users can phone 1300 555 727 and ask for 13 23 26. Polling place accessibility Polling places with disabled access are shown at www.aec.gov.au/where identifying those that are fully accessible or accessible with assistance. Each polling place also has at least one wheelchair access voting screen. “If someone needs help to vote at the polling place, trained AEC staff can assist or a family member or friend can be called on to assist,” Mr Killesteyn said. “If you make a mistake filling in your ballot paper, you should ask a polling official for a replacement ballot paper and start again.” Image: Graham Innes, Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, voting in secret by telephone (Sydney 5 August).]]>

Picture of Gold Coast Magazine
Gold Coast Magazine

Our in-house team and affiliates bringing you the latest in Culture, Lifestyle and Entertainment from around the globe and the great stories of the Gold Coast