Ground breaking app gives voters with a disability a voice

In the first of its kind in the world, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has released a free iPad app, Voters Voice, designed by independent technology studio Conduct. The app will assist people with communication difficulties to participate in elections.

Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately, says the VEC has taken the initiative to bring information about enrolling and voting to people who have traditionally found election concepts difficult.

‘There are many people with complex communication needs who have either not voted in the past, or voted by post due to their inability to communicate as easily as everyone else.’

‘In some cases, decisions have been made for them by well-meaning family members who were also under the impression that their communication issues were a barrier to participation. We hope this app provides an opportunity for increased awareness of the support and strategies available to enable everyone to truly be equal at the ballot box.’

Voters Voice is an iOS app developed to provide information about enrolling and voting in Victorian elections in various formats (plain English, Easy English, Auslan and video), and includes a communication board with ‘speak’ and ‘show’ options for voters with complex communication difficulties.

Scope (one of Victoria’s leading disability agencies) partnered with the VEC on the project. Scope’s Manager of Communication Services, Katie Lyon, suggests that there are many people who will benefit from the app, including people with communication difficulties due to a developmental disability such as an intellectual disability or an acquired disability.

‘In addition, there are estimated to be up to 44% of Australia’s population who have limited functional literacy who would benefit from the information in the app being available in plain English and Easy English,’ says Ms Lyon.

The app has been released in plenty of time for the October council elections throughout Victoria. Although it provides accessible information relevant to all council elections, it will be of most use to voters with communication difficulties participating in the six councils conducting attendance elections (Banyule, Dandenong, Knox, Moreland, Port Phillip and Yarra City Councils), as it facilitates interaction with election staff in voting centres.

Mr Gately says Voters Voice will be expanded to Android devices and be given more ‘bells and whistles’ prior to the 2018 State election if interest within the disability community meets expectations.

Voters Voice is available free on the iTunes App Store.