From: Jill [jill@disabilityaction.in-sa.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 29 February 2000 14:16
To: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Subject: Submission

I am pleased to make this brief submission from a personal and not from my
professional position as Systems Advocate at Disability Action Inc. owing
to the fact that the agency has not developed a position on this issue
specifically.

1.	It is a right of every Citizen of Australia, over the age of 18, to
participate in the electoral process at all Local, State and Federal
elections.  This implies we are all entitled to recieve information about
the process in a format that most suits our communication needs.  As
citizens of Australia, people with a disability are also expected to
participate.

2.	All polling booths need to be audited for their accessibility by both
voters and people employed and volunteering.  This includes the ballot box,
which is usually not accessible because it is intended to be used in a
standing position and does not accommodate those who may require assistance
to fill out the ballot paper.  As a volunteer at polling booths in the past
I have found premises and toilets on site to be inaccessible to those using
mobility aids (such as wheelchairs and wheeled-walking frames).  
3.	It is also important to have one of the workers (employed by the
electoral commission) trained in disability awareness to enable appropriate
and skilled assistance to people with a range of  functional and age
related disabilities, to complete the voting process (eg lack of literacy
skill, sight impairment and cognitive function, including memory loss and
thought disorder) .  This may also necessitate the availability of a
table/bench/desk at approximately 750 - 850mm in height, with 650mm clear
space under the table top.   All information should be in plain language,
print size should be no smaller than font size 12 and clearly set out.
Large print and braille should be available.
4.	Information sent by post needs to be in appropriate formats and easy to
read/hear with plain language and clear instructions as to how to complete
postal voting.  Australia Post post boxes are not accessible to many people
with a disability using wheelchairs,  who may be voting by postal ballot,
particularly those with difficulty reaching above shoulder height, who have
muscle weakness, can use only one hand and/or have involuntary movement. 	

Thank you for this opportunity to have input.
Regards
Jill Fowler
Welland SA