Polling places are assessed against the following accessibility criteria:
- Allocated parking spaces, where available, close to entry for voters with disabilities;
- Level access to the building;
- Appropriate signage;
- Doors and passageways comply with current width, clearance and threshold requirements; and
- Adequate lighting.
In instances where a polling place is not accessible, action will be taken if possible to make the location more accessible, such as adding ramps and mats to door entrances.
If a polling place cannot be made accessible, Elections SK will assign additional information officers to provide the necessary assistance to people with disabilities at the front entrance to a building. This will ensure that opportunities such as curbside voting are immediately identified and provided to voters requiring this option.
An information officer will be at all polling places to provide directions and assistance to voters, including disabled voters, immediately when they arrive. These individuals will receive sensitivity training as they will be the first point of contact for voters at polling places.
Polling day officials will be provided with a supply of temporary disabled parking signs to be used as required at polling places.
A supply of temporary lamps will be included in polling place supplies and available in the event that the lighting in any polling station needs to be enhanced.
Election workers receive training on how to facilitate voting for persons with disabilities. Disability sensitivity training for all election officials is provided through a training video. This ensures instructions are consistently delivered. Manuals for poll officials include instructions on how to assist voters with disabilities and emphasize the role of poll workers in supporting people with disabilities at the polling place, if required. A video is also available for use by the public, in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Described Video.
Deputy returning officers are permitted to assist a voter in marking their ballot either inside or outside the voting station. They must mark the ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter in the presence of the poll clerk and of the candidate’s representatives in the polling place, and remove and destroy the counterfoil.
- The deputy returning officer, the voter, or the voter’s accompanying friend can also assist to deposit the ballot in the ballot box.
- An individual may act as the friend to assist at the polls for two voters.
The Election Act, 1996 provides for sign language interpreters to assist voters at polling places.
Elections SK will notify municipal transit systems offering paratransit services of the days when voting will be taking place. Advance notice will allow individuals requiring transportation to make the appropriate arrangements and the transit authorities to make any adjustments in order to meet the increased demand.
Additional directional signage will be available at all voting locations. Contrast is one of the most critical factors in enhancing visual functioning, with yellow on a dark background being easier to read.
All polling stations will have the following supplies available on request:
- Pencil grips
- Paper and clipboards
- Magnifiers
- Braille ballot template