The accessible election

News — 28 September 2011

Other components of the assitistive voting technology include a braille controller or simple paddles designed to be controlled by nearly any limb. Photos courtesy Elections Ontario

By Chris Marchand

Some new equipment being tested the province in the next week or so will help Ontario voters with disabilities achieve a higher level of independence in casting their ballot in the 2011 provincial election.

In satellite offices across Ontario, 144 assistive voting technology system are being deployed, including Dryden’s Elections Ontario location at 31 Whyte Ave.

The machines are available to cast ballots until Oct. 5.

Wearing headphones, voters are guided through the voting process with audio prompts and can make their selection with a large braille controller (similar to a video game controller); a system of left of right paddles that could be operated with feet, hands, elbows or other limbs; or thirdly a sip and puff straw to make their selections.

The final part of the process will confirm the selection with the voter.

“All of these systems work together to ensure that a person using this technology can vote in secret and vote independently,” said Alicia Fowlie, communications coordinator at Elections Ontario. “It’s something we’re really excited about for this election because we’ve really focused on improving accessibility in the electoral process and making it easy to vote. For many people it will be the first time that they are able to independently and secretly mark their ballot without having to bring someone along with them and tell them how they plan on voting.

Fowlie says Elections Ontario still offers aids like magnifying glasses, large print ballots, or braille templates ballots, but Fowlie says those systems still often require an additional person to swear an oath to help a disabled voter confirm that they had made the selection they intended.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive,” says Fowlie. “A lot of people feel like this has been a really big step in improving the accessibility of elections in Ontario.”

To make use of assistive voting technology locally, call ahead to the Elections Ontario satellite office at 223-8699.

Related News

NDP’s Campbell wins riding

By Chris Marchand Following in the steps of her mentor Howard Hampton, the New Democrats’ Sarah Campbell cruised to an easy victory in the race for the Kenora Rainy-River Riding, election ...

Power Paddle

Story by Hope Murdick Do you love the out doors? Are you looking for a way to keep active and healthy? As most of you will have likely answered “yes” to ...

Wintle takes decisive win in Dryden byelection

Former Dryden Mayor Sid Wintle earned a decisive win as the unofficial results of the city of Dryden's vote-by-mail byelection for a vacant council seat were tallied, May 14. The unofficial ...

City’s debt level at $24 million

Councillors hear auditor’s report on 2010 financial statements, May 4 By Lindsey Enns Financial statements from the year 2010 were revealed to the public in a special City Council meeting, May 4, ...

City of Dryden Economic Development Manager James Harvey. Staff Photo

Study seeks ways to boost downtown

By Lindsey Enns A new study of Dryden’s downtown core is paving the way for stronger relationships between local business owners and city officials. “We need to make room for stronger communication ...

Re-branding a part of city strategic plan

By Lindsey Enns The theme of the initial stage of a new strategic planning strategy for the city of Dryden is all about moving forward. “We want to know what’s important to ...

Council code of conduct quashed

By Chris Marchand A motion proposing a ‘code of conduct’ to more strictly govern the actions of members of Dryden City council was defeated, Monday night. The motion was proposed by councillor ...

Dryden Byelection 2012 : meet the candidates

Presented in alphabetical order: Gary Case The submission of my name for the council seat in the present byelection is neither frivolous nor foolish. With 17 years of city council experience in ...

School board seeks zoning change for residency project

Former Pinewood School could host students from remote First Nations By Chris Marchand Dryden city councillors got an early glimpse of Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) plan to convert Pinewood School into ...

Mobility division taking losses, says financial statement

Dryden Observer Staff Financial statements for the cellphone division of Dryden’s municipally owned telecom confirm that the company is in a difficult financial position, though Dryden Municipal Telephone System (DMTS) says ...