Photo courtesy of: ja-neo.org
The Council for Persons with Disabilities is encouraging voters with disabilities to learn what their options are before casting their municipal election ballot this month.
According to the council, mobility, vision, communication and other accessibility challenges can affect how someone casts their ballot and what support they may require to do so.
While the city will have accessible voting equipment available at City Hall from October 19 to 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on election day October 26 until 8 p.m., voters with disabilities are not limited to voting those days as they can also take advantage of online voting. The full range of ways to vote can at https://www.peterborough.ca/council-city-hall/elections/voters/.
Council interim executive director Cody McIntyre says while the city has taken steps to accommodate voters with disabilities, he feels there’s a number of people who aren’t aware of the options.
McIntyre says the relationship between the city and the council was closer at one time and that was helpful in reducing barriers.
On a more positive note, McIntyre says the accommodation of voters with disabilities has come a long way from what was at one time.
McIntyre says those who have questions around voter accessibility and/or require an accommodation should look into their options before heading to a voting location.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
