The Welsh Government is working with a sight loss charity to
improve the voting experience for disabled people by launching a
series of accessible voting trials in Wales.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) recently
published a report that found only a quarter of blind people felt
the current system allows them to vote independently and in
secret.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local
Government has announced £25,000 of funding for trials that will
explore ways to make polling stations more accessible ahead of
the 2026 Senedd Election.
At the events, the Welsh Government, RNIB Cymru and electoral
administrators are testing a variety of solutions with blind and
partially sighted people to identify workable, cost effective,
bilingual solutions.
The trials, which began this week in Cardiff, are evaluating
various voting solutions, including:
- The existing Tactile Voting Device (TVD), which is a plastic
template that fits over ballot papers
- A new tactile ballot paper overlay, which is a card template
currently being tested in Scotland
- Audio solutions to assist with ballot paper information
- A mock telephone ballot paper information line
RNIB Cymru are working with local sight loss societies, including
Sight Life and Vision Support, to recruit participants across
Wales. Each event involves six to eight participants who will
test and evaluate the different voting solutions.
One of the participants, Hannah Rowlatt said:
“There are so many aspects of my life that, with a little
planning and consideration of accessibility, I can do completely
independently. Everything from scrolling social media to popping
to the shops to choosing a new outfit. But voting at a polling
station is something that just isn't accessible to me and so many
other blind and partially sighted people.
“I'm really looking forward to being a part of finding a solution
that could make it easier for thousands of people to vote. By
involving blind and partially sighted people in this process it
makes it more likely that we'll find a way of voting
independently and in secret that really works.”
These initial events, which will also be held in Wrexham, are
focusing on sight loss and represent the first phase. Further
trials are planned over the next year that will explore solutions
for voters with other accessibility needs.
Attending the first event in Cardiff, the Cabinet
Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said:
“The RNIB's findings that only half of blind and partially
sighted voters said they were satisfied with their
voting experience at the 2024 General Election shows
this is a matter that needs to be taken very seriously. I am
pleased to be taking action and very grateful for the support of
RNIB Cymru and both Cardiff and Wrexham Councils in delivering
these trials.
“Every voter should have the right to cast their ballot
independently and in secret and these trials demonstrate our
commitment to making elections in Wales more accessible and
inclusive for all voters."
RNIB Cymru's Director Ansley Workman said:
“Nobody should feel nervous or embarrassed walking into a polling
station, unsure whether they will be able to vote. Unfortunately,
under the current system most blind people are forced to share
their vote, either with a family member, friend or polling
station staff. Blind and partially sighted voters can feel
humiliated and let down by the system, and in some cases are not
even certain who they voted for.
“This is why we're so pleased that Welsh Government is listening
to the concerns of people with sight loss and involving them in
finding a solution. By working together we're confident that we
can make the upcoming elections in Wales the most accessible yet
for blind and partially sighted people.”
Notes to editors
RNIB: Turned Out 2024
