Voters with disabilities will once again be offered assistance to vote during this year’s parliamentary general election.
Neath Port Talbot Council has issued guidelines to all of its presiding officers to ensure that electors who have a disability, can easily access a polling station and vote.
Help will be at hand for those individuals who are either physically disabled or are visually impaired or hard of hearing. They can ask the presiding officer to help them to the polling booth or alternatively a qualified companion or a close relative can help them to vote.
A plastic braille template device can also be provided by the presiding officer for voters who area either blind or partially sighted allowing them to vote without assistance.
Presiding officers have also been instructed to maintain eye contact, speak slowly and clearly and to use facial expressions and body language to help communicate with voters who may either be profoundly deaf or wear a hearing aid. This will help them to lip read and communicate more effectively.
Steve Phillips, Acting Returning Officer, said: “It is important that as an authority we continue to recognise the needs of disabled people and take appropriate action to ensure that their needs are continually met.
“Giving everyone the right to vote is imperative and it is therefore vital that voters with disabilities are able to make that choice.”
The majority of polling stations now offer disabled access, although for some if there are difficulties accessing a station, the presiding officer will be able to assist by taking a ballot paper outside to the voter. This is then immediately placed in the ballot box. Postal votes are also an option for electors with disabilities as this allows them to vote from the comfort of their own home.
