Sight loss voters raise issues in RNIB report
Nearly ¾ of blind and partially sighted people said they didn’t know they could request ‘reasonable adjustments’ in their local polling stations so they can vote independently – and in secret.
That’s the results of a survey released earlier this week by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in its Turned Out report.
Based on their experiences of voting in July’s UK General Election, this RNIB research reveals only a quarter (26 per cent) of blind people feel the current system allows them to vote independently and in secret.
The research shows 68 per cent of blind people who voted by post had assistance from another person.
That’s compared to 66 per cent of blind people who voted at a polling station who received help had from a companion or member of polling station staff.
In 2023, RNIB worked with colleagues at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Electoral Commission, to explore a range of accessible voting solutions.
The trial tested different ways to review and mark the ballot paper, with results showing there was a strong preference for both an audio and tactile element in voting solutions; enabling people with sight loss to vote independently and in secret.
Using an ‘audio-tactile device’ to mark the box
‘Being able to listen to the candidates’ names, find and mark the box myself using an audio-tactile device, meant that for the first time I was able to vote independently and in secret,’ explains Khadija Raza, 26, from Cambridge.
Khadija has sight loss and is the RNIB’s Policy Officer. They were one of the few people able to use one of the audio and tactile devices when voting in July’s General Election.
‘It was a much better experience than I’ve had before and meant a great deal to me. I requested the audio-tactile device via the Huntingdonshire electoral services team at the local authority via RNIB’s reasonable adjustments for voting template letter.’
The charity says it’s been 150 years since the Ballot Act 1872 which guaranteed the right to vote in secret. It argues that its’ research reveals many blind and partially sighted people ‘continue to be denied this fundamental right.’
‘Elections should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of disability, and that right to vote independently and privately is a fundamental democratic principle,’ says Matt Stringer, CEO of the RNIB.
‘(The) RNIB has campaigned on this issue for many years; the UK Government has a responsibility to ensure voters have alternative ways to participate when the current system is inaccessible to them.’
‘It’s evident from our research that blind and partially sighted people’s voting experience won’t improve without significant changes to the system.’
New changes introduced this year
This year’s General Election was the first since changes were introduced in the Elections Act 2022.
The RNIB campaigned for the Elections Act 2022 to include a commitment to the principle of an independent and secret vote after fears that previous entitlements were being watered down.
While successful in achieving an amendment to the original wording of the legislation, the charity says it’s clear that too little is being done to turn this principle into a reality at every polling station across the UK.
The RNIB’s new research report is the first detailed survey of blind and partially sighted people’s experiences in voting since the changes were introduced in the Elections Act 2022.
‘Policymakers and electoral officials must improve voting accessibility, and we’ll be pressing the Labour Government to address the injustice through future legislation on voting,’ explains Matt Taylor.
‘We’ll also continue to empower blind and partially sighted people and communities providing useful information and resources so they know they can demand better voting accessibility.’
The RNIB’s Turned Out Report highlights the accessibility issues and barriers that blind and partially sighted people face.
Future elections: audio and tactile voting in every polling station?
This includes little accessible information about elections, inaccessible polling stations and lack of accessible voting solutions such as those using both tactile and audio elements.
For future General Elections and local elections, the RNIB is urging the UK Government, local authorities, and the Electoral Commission to ensure audio and tactile voting solutions are available in every polling station.
It also seeks for the authorities to proactively identify accessible voting solutions along with a review and revision of the postal voting system to ensure it is fully accessible for the estimated two million people living with sight loss in the UK.
A recent report identified critical areas in need of attention in light of surging demand for eye health services on the NHS to prevent life changing sight loss. Laying the foundations for the future of eye health in England was produced by ‘The Eyes Have It’ alliance.
