Election 2010: Assisting voters with a disability at the 2010 election

5 August 2010

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has a range of information and services available to support voters with a disability to ensure their vote in the 2010 federal election on Saturday, 21 August 2010.

A new initiative at the 2010 election, telephone voting, is now available in 125 locations across Australia to allow voters who are blind or have low vision to cast a secret vote. This service is available both before and on election day in all AEC divisional offices and other selected locations. Voters using this service will have their name marked off the electoral roll and then cast their vote in private over the phone. To find out how this voting will work including opening hours, visit how to vote if you are blind or have low vision or call 13 23 26.

Essential election information, including the 'Your Official Guide to the 2010 Federal Election' delivered to households across Australia, is also available online in a range of accessible formats, including large print, e-text and audio, and in braille and other formats by calling 13 23 26.

Polling places with disabled access are shown at www.aec.gov.au, including identifying those that are fully accessible or accessible with assistance. Each polling place also has at least one wheelchair access table top voting screen. At the polling place, if anyone needs help to vote, polling place staff are trained to assist or the voter can have a family member of friend assist. Anyone that makes a mistake filling in their ballot paper should ask a polling official for a replacement ballot paper and start again.

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.

Media contact

13 23 26