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Written question asked by Jo Platt (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 October 2019. It was answered by Kevin Foster (Conservative) on Monday, 21 October 2019 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Elections: Visual Impairment

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he has had with the RNIB since the 3 May 2019 decision of the High Court on electoral accessibility.

Answer

The Government continues to work with the Accessibility of Elections Working Group to make an informed assessment of the most suitable options to take forward. Officials are due to hold a meeting on this topic with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) very soon

Work has been undertaken to revise guidance to electoral administrators and, with input from RNIB, to research technical solutions which will be further discussed at a dedicated sub-group.

We are also starting to bring forward measures following the Government’s response to the 2018 Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. Proposals were announced during the Queen’s Speech. This will include increasing the range of support available to voters with disabilities in polling stations and allowing a wider range of people (such as carers) to assist disabled voters in polling stations if needed.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1138
Session
2019-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Access Elections Meetings Visual impairment Ballot papers Royal National Institute of Blind People
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk