Good Practices for Accessible Elections in Europe - Inclusion Europe
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Good Practices
for Accessible
Elections in Europe
Produced as part of the project “Accommodating Diversity
for Active Participation in European Elections” in May 2011
Inclusion Europe
With financial support from the Fundamental Rights
& Citizenship Programme of the European Union ENThe project partners contributing to this publication were: ENABLE 146 Argyle Street – G2 8BL Glasgow – Scotland – United Kingdom enable@enable.org.uk – www.enable.org.uk Nous Aussi 15 rue Coysevox – 75876 Paris Cedex 18 – France nous-aussi@unapei.org – www.nousaussi.org SPMP ČR Karlinské nám. 12/59 – 186 03 Praha 8 Karlín – Česká republika spmp@seznam.cz – www.spmpcr.cz ISBN : 2-87460-123-3 © Inclusion Europe 2011 This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Commission. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Inclusion Europe and the project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
Introduction
All European citizens should have the People with intellectual
right to vote and participate in elections. disabilities
Yet in many cases, people with Elderly people facing age-related
disabilities, as well as other vulnerable illnesses which hinder their
groups are hindered by barriers which participation
prevent them from exercising this Other groups of citizens who may
fundamental right. These barriers range face language barriers
from a lack of awareness about the right
to vote, to inaccessible information It is highly encouraging to see the large
about elections and physical barriers at number of good practices which are
polling stations which prevent people already in place in many European
with disabilities from voting. In order to countries to ensure greater accessibility
remove these barriers, practices which for the above-mentioned groups to
improve access to voting and electoral elections, and much can be learned from
participation must be implemented. these practices in implementing
accessibility measures in other European
In December 2009, Inclusion Europe
countries.
launched a project with the aim of
improving the accessibility of elections for
Inclusion Europe promotes the exchange
the following groups of citizens:
and uptake of these practices and hopes
that they will provide concrete examples
and inspiration to facilitate and improve
access to voting for all European citizens.
Maureen Piggot
President
Inclusion Europe
1Voting for All!
Project ADAP (Accommodating Diversity This brochure gives statistical data on
for Active Participation in European good practices across the different
Elections) was led by Inclusion Europe, countries, to provide an overview of
and was undertaken together with self- accessibility measures across Europe, as
advocates from Inclusion Europe’s well as presenting more detailed
member organizations ENABLE Scotland, examples of good practices in 5 different
Nous Aussi (France) and SPMP (Czech areas: awareness-raising, surveys on
Republic), who gave invaluable input into accessibility, accessible information,
the project and played a very active and training and access to voting.
important role in selecting best practices
for this brochure. As part of the ADAP project, Policy
Recommendations, as well as a Guide to
Inclusion Europe collected good practices Campaigns for More Accessible elections
on accessible measures for elections for for national associations in easy-to-read
the above-mentioned groups through language were produced. These can be
research and questionnaires sent to its downloaded from the project website:
member organizations in Europe and to www.voting-for-all.eu.
national electoral commissions or
government departments responsible for Project ADAP was undertaken with
organizing elections in the Member States funding from the Fundamental Rights and
of the European Union (EU). Citizenship Programme of the European
Commission from December 2009 to June
Inclusion Europe received responses from 2011.
member organizations in 25 countries1 ,
as well as replies from electoral
commissions or government departments
responsible for organizing elections in 18
EU countries2. In total, information on 29
European countries was gathered.
1
Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden,
UK.
2
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain,
Sweden.
2Good practices
1. Awareness-raising national and European elections. They
addressed issues such as:
Many people with disabilities are not Disenfranchisement of the right to
aware of their right to vote or the vote for people with intellectual
electoral and voting process is not disabilities due to limitations
accessible for them. Additionally, polling imposed by legal capacity
station staff as well as politicians and the measures.
general public are often not aware that The need for assistance in the
people with disabilities should be polling booth for people with
allowed to vote and require specific intellectual disabilities by a
accessibility measures to be put in place person of their choice whom they
in order to facilitate their participation. trust.
Inclusion Europe’s research revealed a The importance of providing easy-
number of awareness-raising initiatives to-read information about voting
across Europe to highlight accessibility and the elections to facilitate
issues and raise awareness about the understanding among people with
importance of the right to vote for intellectual disabilities about
people with disabilities, the elderly and elections and how to vote.
non-native citizens of the country.
Awareness-raising initiatives at
European level
Several initiatives have been undertaken
in recent years to raise awareness about
the importance of voting and
participation in political life by people
with disabilities at European level. Meetings were also organised at national
level with groups of self-advocates to
Project ADAP, Inclusion Europe discuss the importance of voting and to
As part of the ADAP project, the three find out more about the difficulties
self-advocates working on the project encountered by people with intellectual
organized meetings with national disabilities when voting and to share ideas
politicians, their national Members of the about how to take action and campaign
European Parliament (MEPs) as well as for more accessible elections in their
representatives from their national country. A guide for national associations
electoral bodies to raise awareness about on how to campaign for more accessible
the difficulties faced by people with elections was produced in easy-to-read
intellectual disabilities and to demand language giving concrete ideas on how to
improved accessibility for the next launch an awareness-raising campaign for
more accessible elections.The final conference of the project in May The campaign website provides infor-
2011 gathered national politicians, repre- mation about:
sentatives from national electoral bodies
The impact of the EU in the daily
or departments responsible for elections
lives of persons with disabilities.
in the different EU Member States, as well
The EDF Manifesto: nothing about
as representatives from the EU
us, without us which contains the
institutions, the Council of Europe,
TOP 10 demands to make
organisations for people with disabilities
disability discrimination history,
and the elderly and other relevant
calls on politicians to assure equal
stakeholders to discuss concrete
access for voting and participation
accessibility measures for the 2014
in electoral campaigns and for a
European elections and future national
European Parliament for all. The
elections.3
EDF invites the political leaders to
endorse the Manifesto and also to
‘Disability votes count’4,
integrate its principles in their
European parties’ campaigns. The manifesto
Disability was produced in easy-to-read by
Forum Inclusion Europe and is available
For the 2009 European elections, the in all 23 EU languages.
European Disability Forum launched a
campaign to encourage people with
disabilities to take part in European
elections and to combat discrimination.
The campaign highlighted the increasingly
low turnout for European elections. The
main objectives of the ‘Disability Votes
Count’ campaign were to:
Encourage citizens with disabil- It also provides a checklist for electoral
ities to exert their rights to vote authorities on accessibility, as well as
and to participate in the 2009 goals and achievements set out for the
European elections. next European elections to political
Promote free and equal access to parties and candidates.
electoral debates and procedures
for citizens with disabilities. ‘My Opinion, My Vote’5
Invite candidates to the elections The ‘My Opinion, My Vote’ project was
to engage with the demands of 50 launched in 2009 and was undertaken
million disabled citizens within EU with funding from the Lifelong Learning
policies and legislation. Programme for European Education of the
European Commission.
3
ADAP website: www.voting-for-all.eu. 5
‘My Opinion, My Vote’ website:
4
‘Disability votes count’ website: www.myopinionmyvote.eu.
www.disabilityvotescount.eu.
4The general objectives of the project Awareness-raising initiatives at
included:
national level
Educating people with intellectual
disabilities about their political Inclusion Europe’s research revealed that
rights. the electoral commissions or relevant
Encouraging people with intel- government ministries in 13 European
lectual disabilities to form and countries undertook activities to encour-
express an informed opinion or age all citizens to participate in the 2009
decision in local, national European elections6. Of these, 7 countries
and European elections and undertook specific activities to encourage
referenda. people with intellectual disability, the
Raising awareness among those elderly or any other vulnerable groups to
who are in a position to facilitate vote7. Several electoral authorities stated
people with intellectual disabil- that they did not undertake awareness-
ities in exercising their political raising activities due to the fact that they
rights (including relatives and are not permitted to influence voters.
carers of people with intellectual
disabilities, politicians and public In the Netherlands, the Ministry of the
authorities). Interior and Kingdom Relations provided
brochures and posters for the elderly to
encourage their participation in the most
recent national elections. In Ireland, an
advertising campaign to check if people
had registered for the European elections
in 2009 was undertaken, as well as
newspaper advertising. In Estonia, a
young and ‘first-time voters’ campaign
As part of the project, the partners
was undertaken by the Electoral
undertook research to discover how many
Commission in the most recent national
people with intellectual disabilities were
elections.
aware of their voting rights in the six
partner countries (Italy, Denmark, Ireland,
Spain, Malta and Hungary). They also ‘Vote SMART’
developed and tested an educational campaign,
programme addressing issues such as Romania
‘Forming a Personal and Independent
Opinion’, ‘What is politics?’ and ‘Political The VOTE SMART campaign was
Parties and Electoral Programmes’. They organised by the Pentru Voi Foundation
launched a campaign to raise awareness (member of Inclusion Europe), the
among people with learning disabilities, Institute for Public Policies and Inclusion
their families and carers, as well as
6
professionals, decision-makers and Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania,
political parties.
Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania.
7
Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland,
Malta and Portugal.
5Romania. It aimed to create a commu- learning disability had the opportunity to
nication network between voters and get their voices heard.
candidates for County Council elections
and administrative sectors in Bucharest, The campaign achieved a high level of
which aimed to enable people to vote in engagement with MPs and parliamentary
an informed way. candidates. It ensured that all three of
the main political parties (and two smaller
The VOTE SMART campaign took place
parties) commissioned Mencap to
from May to June 2008 and offered the
produce their manifestos in easy-to-read
opportunity for political candidates from
to reach voters with intellectual
5 different counties in Romania (Timis,
disabilities. As a result of the campaign,
Giurgiu, Hunedoara, Mures and Sibiu) and
the number of people with an intellectual
6 candidates from Bucharest admin-
disability who voted doubled from 16% to
istration to present concrete ways in
31% (shown by a survey of over 1100
which they would promote the social
people with a learning disability)
inclusion of people with intellectual
compared with previous elections.
disabilities to voters. Their answers were
made public in the central and local press
and through the organisations involved in
the campaign to inform the electorate
and hold the candidates accountable for
their answers.
‘Get my vote’
campaign8, UK
In addition to these successes, Mencap
Research carried out by United Response has also ensured 145 MPs from across the
(a national UK charity supporting people political spectrum signed an agreement
with intellectual disabilities) in May 2008, which called for local authorities, political
showed that only 16 per cent of people parties and central government to
with intellectual disabilities whom they produce accessible material in relation to
surveyed voted in the 2005 general electoral matters, and called on all
election. In a recent Mencap study, 45 per prospective parliamentary candidates to
cent of people said the reason they didn’t make their election material easily
vote was because they didn’t understand accessible for people with a learning
the information produced by political disability. Additionally, 56 MPs in the new
parties. parliament have supported the acces-
sibility agenda giving a good basis on
In light of this, for the general election in which to engage these MPs.
2010, Mencap launched the 'Get my vote'
campaign to make sure people with a
8
For more information, go to:
www.mencap.org.uk.
6It highlights the large number of existing
’Accessibility of the electoral process
voters with disabilities in Scotland. It then
for people with disabilities’9, France
provides guidance on issues such as:
The guide ‘Accessibility of the electoral
Protocols and language (for
process for people with disabilities’ is
example, allowing more time for
aimed at electoral candidates and was
discussion, addressing the person
produced by the French Ministry of Social
with a disability directly and not
Affairs and Employment in 2009.
their assistant, using appropriate
terms when referring to disability
The guide tells political candidates how to
issues).
make their meetings, documents and
How to provide accessible
websites more accessible for people with
information (for example, using
disabilities. It highlights important issues
alternative formats including
including:
simple language, Braille or audio).
Accessibility of meeting venues Ensuring inclusion of people with
and non-discrimination (for disabilities at meetings (for
example, ensuring that provisions example, ensuring the meeting
for people who are deaf, blind or venue is accessible and easy to
in wheelchairs are available). reach by public transport).
Accessibility of information (for Communication (such as using
example, the use of Braille, audio, clear language and having a sign
subtitles, simplified language in all language interpreter).
documents and on websites).
Provisions for accessibility set out The guide also addresses issues such as
in national legislation (for polling station accessibility and the need
example, making polling stations for the provision of assistance for voters
accessible for people with with disabilities.
different types of disability,
providing accessibility measures
which allow people to vote as 2. Surveys on accessibility
independently as possible).
Surveys on the accessibility of elections
‘Reaching Disabled Voters’, Scotland can be used to discover how many
people with disabilities take part in
The ‘Reaching Disabled Voters’ guide is
elections and what problems may hinder
aimed towards political candidates and
their participation in order to see how
provides advice on how to adapt their
these issues can be addressed. In the UK
campaigns towards people with
and Belgium, surveys on the accessibility
disabilities. It was produced by ‘Disability
of elections were carried out to find out
Agenda Scotland’, an alliance of
the number of people with disabilities
Scotland’s major disability organisations.
who vote or get involved in politics and
9
The guide can be found at: how accessible polling stations were.
http://www.csa.fr/upload/publication/meme
nto_candidats.pdf.
7surveying 294 people in 6 different
10
‘Every vote counts’ , UK regions of Belgium.
United Response launched the ‘Every The surveys highlighted the many
Vote Counts’ campaign in 2007. This recurrent problems faced by people with
three-year project, funded by the physical disabilities when going to the
Electoral Commission, aimed to raise polling station, including: lack of
awareness and promote the participation accessibility for people in wheelchairs,
of people with intellectual disabilities in people with visual and hearing
campaigns and in every aspect of the impairments.
democratic process.
Research by United Response, an
organisation which supports people with
intellectual disabilities, mental health
needs or physical disabilities to live in the
community in the UK, has shown that
while 80% of people with intellectual
disabilities are registered to vote, only
16% of them voted in the last 2005 UK
General election and 20% in their last
local elections. The research highlighted a
number of barriers to accessibility, Letters have been sent to the different
including a lack of easy to understand communes in this area to raise awareness
information about political parties and about the problem and to encourage
policies. them to put in place adequate measures
for better accessibility at the polling
‘Voters with reduced mobility’ station. For the 2009 elections, they called
booklet, Belgium for measures such as:
The booklet on ‘Voters with reduced Adapted transport on election
mobility’ explains the problems which day for people with
people with disabilities often encounter disabilities.
because polling stations are not Awareness-raising among
accessible. It refers to two surveys which polling station officials about
were conducted about the global the needs of people with
accessibility of the regional and European disabilities.
elections in 2004, and the commune and Larger characters and Braille
provincial elections in 2006. It was written on ballot forms for people
as a joint effort by 20 different with visual impairments.
associations in the Walloon region of Easy-to-read texts about elec-
Brussels in Belgium. It was conducted by tions on electoral websites.
10
For more information, go to:
www.everyvotecounts.org.uk.
8aspect of the electoral process13. In
3. Access to information Sweden, our member reported that they
about elections have easy-to-read information throughout
the whole electoral process, including
Improved access to information about information about local, national and
voting and the electoral process is vital European elections, the national political
for people with intellectual disabilities system, when the elections are held,
and other groups of citizens facing where to go to vote, filling in the ballot
difficulties in understanding complex form and the election results14. In
information related to all aspects of the Belgium, the Ministry of the Interior asked
voting process, including how to vote, the AFrAHM (French Belgian Association
when and where to vote, how to find for people with intellectual disabilities) to
information about the different political produce an easy-to-read version of official
parties and different types of elections instructions to be put up at polling
and how to find out the election results. stations in the last elections.
Inclusion Europe’s research showed that
Easy-to-read guides on voting and the
there was information in at least one
elections
accessible format (including easy-to-read,
Braille, audio and video) about at least
European elections 2009 brochure in
one aspect of the voting process in 18
easy-to-read15, Inclusion Europe
European countries11. It also revealed that
information produced by political parties In the run-up to the European 2009
was produced in at least one accessible elections, Inclusion Europe produced a
format (including easy-to-read language, leaflet in easy-to-read language about the
Braille, audio, video) in 4 countries12. European elections for people with
intellectual disabilities translated for use
In several countries, state funding is in 14 different European countries16. The
provided towards accessibility measures brochure explains for example: when the
to facilitate participation of people with European 2009 elections took place, what
disabilities in elections, such as in Finland, the European Parliament is, what an
Lithuania and Sweden. election is and who can vote, how to vote
and find out the elections results in easy-
Easy-to-understand
information 13
Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal,
Inclusion Europe’s research showed that Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, UK.
14
in 14 countries, there is information in Swedish Electoral Commission website
easy-to-read language about at least one www.val.se.
15
To see the easy-to-read brochures on the
European 2009 elections, go to:
11
Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, http://www.inclusion-europe.org.
16
France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, England,
Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, France , Germany, Greece, Italy,
Spain, Sweden, UK. Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
12
Germany, Latvia, Sweden, UK. Slovenia, Spain.
9to-read language. The leaflet was widely How to vote in local elections.
distributed through Inclusion Europe’s How to vote in Scottish elections.
membership to raise awareness about the How to vote in European
European 2009 elections and to elections.
encourage greater participation among What difficult words relating to
people with intellectual disabilities. elections mean.
‘How to vote’ pack, Germany These booklets use easy-to-read language
and pictures which are easy-to-
The ‘How to vote’ pack contains one
understand for people with intellectual
booklet about how to vote in national
disabilities.
elections and one booklet on how to vote
in European elections. The booklets are
‘Voting in Scotland’ booklet, Scotland
provided in a voting pack. They explain,
using easy-to-read language, pictures and
diagrams both for national and European
elections:
Why voting is important.
The German parliament and the
European parliament.
How to find out about the The ‘Voting in Scotland’ booklet was
different political parties. published by the Scottish Electoral
Who can vote. Commission in 2007 and explains why
How to vote at the polling station voting is important and how to vote in
and by post. easy-to-read language. It covers issues
How to find out the election such as: what is voting? Who can vote?
results. How to vote by post and by proxy, and
how to find out the election results.
The pack was compiled by a number of
German disability organisations including
Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe (also a
Easy-to-understand websites
member of Inclusion Europe) and Aktion
Mensch. It was published by Karle Finke, In several countries, including the UK,
Government Representative of Nord- Germany, Ireland and Sweden, websites
rhein-Westfalen. which provide easy-to-understand
information about voting and
‘Use your vote’ pack, Scotland participating in elections have been
developed.
The ‘Voting in Scotland’ booklet was
produced within the framework of a ‘Promote the vote’ website17, UK
European project in which self-advocates
from Scotland, Germany and Spain were This website was produced by a groups of
involved. It features 6 small booklets self-advocates called ‘Speaking Up’ in
which explain: Cambridge. It features short videos and
How to prepare for elections.
17
www.promotethevote.co.uk.
10easy-to-read information about the once (the national organisation for blind
different stages of voting, including topics people in Spain). This led to the use of
such as: ‘Why vote?’ ‘How to register to Braille ballots and also led to the setting
vote’ and ‘How to vote’. up of a free phone line where voters
could receive information about the
Information in other accessible electoral role and about the different
political candidates.
formats
‘Don’t leave me out!’ information
Our research revealed that 4 countries18
had information about elections in Braille
sheet21, Scotland
or large text for people with visual
impairment. Research among electoral
commissions or relevant government
ministries revealed that audio options
providing information about elections
were available for people with visual
impairments in 4 countries19. Information
in sign language was provided 2
countries20.
The Scottish Council on Deafness
Accessibility for blind and
produced an information sheet in 2009
partially-sighted voters
for political candidates to raise awareness
to electoral systems,
about the importance of making electoral
European Blind Union
campaigns accessible for voters with
In July 2009, the European Blind Union hearing impairments. It was published
published a study on Accessibility for blind with support from the Scottish Electoral
and partially-sighted voters to electoral Commission. It highlights that British Sign
systems in EU Member States. The study Language is the preferred method of
presents research undertaken in 18 EU communication for 6000 deaf people in
Member States on access to the electoral Scotland alone. It includes advice such as
process for people with visual ensuring appropriate support for deaf
impairment. It showed that in some people at political meetings and events
countries, provisions such as large print or and providing information in a wide range
Braille ballot forms are available, and in of accessible formats.
many countries, blind people are allowed
to be accompanied by a person they trust.
In Spain for example, the Spanish Organic
Law on General Voting procedures was
amended in 2007 due to lobbying from
21
You can see the information sheet at:
http://www.scod.org.uk/pdf/scodpublications
18
Ireland, Malta, Spain, Sweden. /is_mepsWEB.pdf.
19
Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Sweden.
20
Italy and Sweden.
11Information provided in other the Irish Centre for Human Rights,
Integrating Ireland and the Irish Refugee
languages for non-native
Council.
citizens
According to information collected from 4. Training
Inclusion Europe’s member organizations
and from national electoral bodies or Training for polling station officials on
relevant governmental departments how to assist people with intellectual
responsible for organizing elections, disabilities, as well as other groups who
information was available in at least one find it difficult to vote is important to
language other than the national ensure that they are provided with the
language about the elections in the right support when voting. It is also
country in 15 countries22. In Sweden, important to provide people with
there is information about elections in 21 intellectual disabilities and other groups
different languages. who find it difficult to take part in
elections with training on how to vote to
Information on registering for a vote, ensure that they understand the voting
Ireland process.
In Ireland, information about elections
Training for polling station
exists in a number of languages, including
Chinese mandarin, Polish, Russian and officials
Slovak. For the 2009 European elections,
In three countries, Inclusion Europe’s
the Department of the Environment &
members said that there was training for
Local Government informed us that a
polling station officials on how to assist
multi-lingual prompt card was translated
people with intellectual disabilities23. The
into 14 languages to facilitate staff
Czech Ministry of the Interior informed us
engaged by registration authorities in
that the Regional Office and the Czech
their door-to-door registration work.
Statistical Office regularly organize
Leaflets on how to register and how training for the electoral commission,
members of local authorities are elected which includes how to assist people with
were translated into 7 different languages disabilities. According to the electoral
for the last elections, and a leaflet on how commissions in Lithuania and Malta,
MEPs are elected was translated into 5 EU training is given to polling station officials
languages. These were distributed in and guidelines are issued on how to assist
public offices, foreign embassies and people with physical disabilities, blind
organizations dealing with integration, people and the elderly. In Hungary, the
such as the Immigrant Council of Ireland, National Election Office stated that
training is provided for polling station
officials on how to assist the elderly. In
22
Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Belgium and Finland, guidelines are also
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Sweden, Spain,
23
UK. Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden.
12issued to polling station officials on how organisation ‘Outside the box’, with
to assist people with intellectual and support from the Scottish Electoral
physical disabilities and blind people Commission. It uses pictures, diagrams
according to the Belgian Department of and easy-to-read text to explain different
Elections and the Finnish Ministry of aspects of the electoral process, including:
Justice.
‘Choosing things and changing
In Denmark, the Ministry of the Interior things’
and Health issues guidelines to ‘Finding out who is in charge’
municipalities before each election ‘Voting to change things’
containing measures on accessibility
including allowing enough space for a The manual can be used by people with
person in a wheelchair and their support intellectual disabilities on their own, with
person in the polling booth. It also support or in groups. A DVD is included in
stipulates that polling stations should be the manual which goes through each
accessible for people in wheelchairs and section in easy-to-understand language. It
with mobility disabilities. The Equal provides contacts and websites where
Opportunities Centre for Disabled Persons more information about voting can be
has produced guidelines for municipalities found.
on how to address different groups of
people with disabilities.
5. Access to voting
Training for people with Lack of access to voting currently hinders
intellectual many people, particularly people with
disabilities disabilities from voting. There is a wide
range of good practices in this area which
significantly improve access to voting,
Inclusion Europe’s members in 7 countries including measures to improve
informed us that there were training accessibility at polling stations for people
materials developed for people with with intellectual, sensory and physical
intellectual disabilities about how to disabilities, as well as providing
vote24. alternative ways of voting for voters who
may find it difficult to get to the polling
‘Our Voice, our Vote’ peer training station.
manual, Scotland
‘Our vote, our voice’ is a peer training Access to polling stations
manual for people with intellectual
disabilities which enables them to train According to the electoral commissions or
other people with intellectual disabilities government ministries responsible for
on how to participate in elections. It was organizing elections, in 11 European
produced by community development countries it is stated in national law that
24
Finland, Germany, UK, Ireland, Norway,
Slovakia, Sweden.
13polling stations should be accessible for of these measures is vital for effective
people with disabilities25. implementation.
In France, the law states that polling Research among electoral commissions or
stations and ways of voting should be government ministries responsible for
accessible for people with physical, organizing elections also revealed that
sensory, and intellectual disabilities and funding for the implementation of
mental health problems. Access to accessibility measures was available in 7
information and communication through countries27.
television programmes are also
26
stipulated . The decree of October 2006 ‘Polling station accessibility’28
states that polling station and voting brochure, Luxembourg
booths must be accessible for wheelchair
In June 2009, disability organisation ‘Info-
users. The government also sets out
Handicap’ produced a brochure about
provisions for deaf voters (including use
how to make polling stations more
of sign language and subtitles).
accessible. The brochure explains in detail
In Malta, electoral legislation specifies concrete accessibility measures for polling
that all polling stations must be accessible stations, including:
for people in wheelchairs (including Requirements for disabled parking
measures such as the tables must be the spaces (it states that 5% of
right height for wheelchairs and there parking spaces should be
must be adequate lighting for people with accessible and that they should
visual impairments). be as close as possible to the
polling station).
In Scotland (and the United Kingdom), Requirements for the polling
under disability discrimination laws, all station itself (for example it
voting places should be physically states that the passage to the
accessible. polling booths must be free of
obstacles and corridors must be
Regarding the above-mentioned coun-
at least 120 cm wide, whilst
tries, some of our members agreed that
doorways should be more than
polling stations in their countries were
90cm wide to facilitate access for
accessible, however several did not agree
wheelchair users).
or said that only a small number of polling
Requirements for space provided
stations were accessible for people with
in the polling booths and the
disabilities. The fact that accessibility
height of tables where the ballot
measures are specified in the national law
forms are provided.
is an important step, however monitoring
25 27
Spain, Sweden, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, Malta,
Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Romania.
28
Ireland, Malta. The ‘Polling station accessibility’
26
Articles 73 and 74 of the Law of 2005 (‘Accessibilité des bureau de vote’) brochure
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/. can be found at: www.welcome.lu.
14 Information about accessibility Assisted voting
measures for people with visual
and hearing impairments, such as Inclusion Europe’s members and the
the provision of support if electoral commission or government
necessary by polling station staff department responsible for organizing
and adequate lighting. elections stated that assisted voting was
permitted in 24 countries surveyed30.
‘Polls Apart’ campaign29, UK Some countries specified that assisted
voting was permitted for people with
Scope, a UK organisation for disabled
physical or sensory disabilities (for
people, launched the ‘Polls Apart’
example the Netherlands, the Czech
campaign. In the last general election,
Republic, Spain), in other countries,
Scope surveyed over 2000 polling stations
assistance is provided upon the discretion
and found that 68% were inaccessible for
of the polling station official (for example
people with disabilities. On the basis of
in Belgium and Sweden). In other
this research, Scope raised awareness at
countries, people could be assisted by a
government and local level about the
family member or carer (for example in
importance of making their polling
Latvia).
stations accessible. On the Polls Apart
website, people can find out how
‘Pushing for changes in the electoral
accessible their local polling station is in
code’, Albania
the UK.
The Help the Life association sent 20
‘Your vote is equal to others!’ project, parents as observers in Tirana city for the
Romania voting process in the 2007 local elections
and 2009 national elections. Help the Life
The Romanian Permanent Electoral
was part of a working group that worked
Authority informed us about the project
for 6 months to change the electoral code
‘Your vote is equal to others!’, which aims
before the 2009 national election and
to change electoral law to help blind, deaf
made important changes. One of these
and motor disabled people to vote. They
changes was the introduction of assisted
are also researching and wish to better
voting for people with intellectual
define the concept of ‘intellectually
disabilities. Part of the programme also
disabled’ in the electoral code. Through
included training 20 parents as observers
the project they want to produce
at polling stations on Election Day.
materials in Braille, facilitate access to
polling stations for wheelchairs and
propose special media programmes for
deaf voters. They are currently
researching these issues with NGOs and
30
plan to organize a conference with Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
politicians to propose modifications to
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
legislation.
Lithuania, Luxembourg , Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,
29
www.pollsapart.org.uk. UK.
15Alternative ways of voting
Electronic voting
Postal Voting, voting by proxy and According to our research, electronic
advance voting voting was only currently possible in
Our research showed that in 14 countries, Estonia. Several countries have
it is possible to vote by post31. We found introduced electronic voting but later
that in 7 countries, it is possible to vote by stopped using it due to concerns for the
proxy32. In 7 countries, advance voting is lack of safeguards (for example in
possible33. These measures can facilitate Portugal) or have introduced pilot
the voting process for those who need projects for electronic voting (such as in
assistance or who have physical Ireland and Finland). In the Czech
disabilities and cannot get to the polling Republic, Lithuania and Romania there are
station, including elderly people who have plans to introduce electronic voting in the
limited mobility or who live in residences near future. In Norway, for the next
which are far from polling stations. elections, some regions will try electronic
voting.
Mobile polling stations
Internet voting in Estonia is based on WAI
In 17 countries which replied to the principles (Web Accessibility Initiative)35 ,
questionnaire, mobile polling stations which develops strategies, guidelines, and
were used34. The Department of the resources to help make the Web
Environment & Local Government in accessible to people with disabilities, and
Ireland informed us that special voting JAWS (Job Access With Speech). The latter
facilities are provided in hospitals, nursing converts text and components of the
homes or similar institutions for residents Windows operating system into
who cannot go to the polling station due synthesized speech, thus allowing people
to a physical disability or physical illness. with visual impairments to access written
According to the Austrian Federal Ministry information in audio form.
of the Interior, Department of Elections In
In 2009, ANEC (a European consumer
Austria there is a new law which allows
organization) made a ‘Statement on
subscription of postal voting to disabled
Accessibility of Voting’, which called for
or bed-ridden people, meaning that they
greater web accessibility regarding
do not need to apply for a postal ballot
electronic voting and online information
before every election.
about elections36.
31
Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Portugal,
Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, UK,
Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania.
32
Belgium, France, Norway, UK, Slovakia,
Sweden, Netherlands).
33
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Malta,
Portugal, Sweden.
34
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France,
Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Norway,
35
Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, See http://www.w3.org/WAI/.
36
Austria, Denmark, Estonia. http://www.anec.org.
16Acknowledgements
Inclusion Europe would like to thank all Ministry of the Interior (Czech Republic),
those who provided us with information Ministry of the Interior and Health
about good practices in their country. (Denmark), Estonian National Electoral
Committee (Estonia), Ministry of Justice
Inclusion Europe’s Member Organis- (Finland), Hellenic Republic, Ministry of
ations who contributed to the survey: Interior, Decentralisation and e-
Help the Life Association (Albania), government (Greece), National Election
AFrAHM (Belgium), Bulgarian Association Office (Hungary), Department of the
of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Environment & Local Government
(Bulgaria), Association for Self Advocacy (Ireland), Central Directorate for Electoral
(Croatia), Pancyprian Parents Association Services, Ministry of the Interior (Italy),
for People with Mental Handicap The Central Electoral Commission
(Cyprus), SPMP (Czech Republic), (Lithuania), Ministry of the State
Landsforeningen LEV (Denmark), Estonian (Luxembourg), Electoral Commission
Mentally Disabled People Support (Malta), Electoral Council (The
Organisation (Estonia), FDUV (Finland), Netherlands), National Electoral
Nous Aussi (France), Lebenshilfe Commission (Portugal), Permanent
(Germany), POSGAmeA (Greece), ÉFOÉSZ Electoral Authority (Romania), Ministry of
(Hungary), Inclusion Ireland (Ireland), the Interior: Deputy Directorate General
Rupju Berns (Latvia), Ligue HMC of Internal Policy and Electoral Processes
(Luxembourg), Movement in Favour of (Spain), Swedish Election Authority
Rights of Persons with a Disability (Malta), (Sweden).
NFU (Norway), Polish Association for
People with Mental Handicap (Poland), Other non-governmental organisations:
FENACERCI (Portugal), Foundation ‘Pentru AGE Europe, Alzheimer Europe, the
Voi ‘(Romania), ZPMP v SR (Slovakia), European Citizen Action Service, the
European Blind Union.
FEAPS & APPS (Spain), FUB (Sweden),
Mencap & ENABLE Scotland (UK).
National electoral commission or
government departments responsible for
organizing elections in the EU Member
States who contributed to the survey:
Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior,
Department for electoral affairs,
Department of Elections (Belgium),Inclusion Europe
The European Association of Societies
of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
and their Families
Inclusion Europe is a non-profit organisation. We campaign for the rights and interests of
people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Our members are national organisations
from 39 countries.
People with intellectual disabilities are citizens of their country. They have an equal right to
be included in society, whatever the level of their disability. They want rights, not favours.
People with intellectual disabilities have many gifts and abilities. They also have special
needs. They need a choice of services to support their needs.
Inclusion Europe focuses on three main policy areas:
• Human Rights for people with intellectual disabilities
• Inclusion in society
• Non-discrimination
Inclusion Europe co-ordinates activities in many European countries, including projects,
conferences, working groups and exchange meetings. It responds to European political
proposals and provides information about the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
Inclusion Europe advises the European Commission and members of the European
Parliament on disability issues.
Inclusion Europe
Galeries de la Toison d’Or - 29 Chaussée d’Ixelles - B-1050 Brussels
Tel. : +32-2-502 28 15 - Fax : +32-2-502 80 10
secretariat@inclusion-europe.org - www.inclusion-europe.orgYou can also read
