A range of information and services is available to help electors with a disability to have their vote. For a summary see the AEC's media release 'Support for electors with a disability to cast their vote'.

When and where to vote

Your official guide to the 2007 federal election is being delivered to very household. It’s available in several alternative formats and includes information on accessible polling places and how to have an early vote if you can’t get to a polling place on election day.

The following formats are available for download:

• HTML
• Audio
• E-Text [RTF 92KB]
• Large Print [PDF 256KB]

For free copies in audio CD or cassette, Braille or large print formats, or a CD which contains the e-text, large print PDF, audio MP3 and Word versions call the AEC on 13 23 26 or send your request by email to: aec@visionaustralia.org

Candidate information

Candidate information for the House of Representatives (by electorate) and the Senate (by state and territory) is available in alternate formats via our website below, on CD or cassette by calling the AEC on 13 23 26 or sending your request by email to: aec@visionaustralia.org. Include in your request the electorate and state/territory you need. 

Accessible formats

Audio

• House of Representatives candidates details
• Senate candidates details

Large print

• House of Representatives candidates details
• Senate candidates details

E-Text

• House of Representatives candidates details
• Senate candidates details

Polling places with disabled access

To find out which early voting centres and polling places will have full or assisted disabled access, you can phone the AEC on 13 23 26, search the polling place locator for a list of locations near you with icons that identify accessible polling places or you can download a polling place list in Excel format which identifies the level of accessibility (column I, A = accessible with assistance, F = fully accessible, N = not accessible). The AEC advertising in major newspapers will also indicate which polling places have disabled access.

Each polling place has at least one wheelchair access table top voting screen.

If you are unable to enter a polling place because of a physical disability or other conditions, you may vote outside close to the polling place, for example, in your car. If the Officer in Charge of the polling place is satisfied that you cannot enter the polling place, someone will bring the ballot papers to you.

Help to vote

You can ask someone to help you vote. Polling place staff are trained to assist you, or you can nominate any person (except a candidate) to assist. This person could be a friend or relative or a party worker.

Electronic voting for people who are blind or have low vision

Electronic voting is available in 29 locations for people who are blind or have low vision. The e-voting section of the website has more information, including locations, in HTML and audio formats.