As the presidential election approaches, an important yet often overlooked issue is the accessibility of polling stations for disabled individuals.
Dr. Vivian Rath, a Wexford resident, Trinity College Dublin lecturer and disability advocate has raised concerns about the barriers that disabled voters face.
According to Dr. Rath, even though there have been some improvements over the years, significant barriers remain for disabled voters.
“Inaccessible polling stations, booths that don’t accommodate wheelchair users and voting materials that aren’t available in accessible formats are still prevalent,” he explains.
The option of postal voting is also restricted by the requirement for disabled individuals to certify their disability medically, which can incur additional costs—an obstacle many simply can’t afford. The September deadline for postal vote registration further compounds this issue leaving disabled voters with limited options.
While Dr. Rath acknowledges improvements made by the Electoral Commission and its efforts to engage with disabled voters, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, he stresses that more must be done.
“Basic access to polling stations should be a fundamental right,” he says, urging both the Electoral Commission and the Department of Housing and Local Government to work together to eliminate barriers for disabled voters.
When asked what changes could be made to improve accessibility, Dr. Rath highlighted several straightforward solutions.
“We can ensure that all polling stations are fully accessible, that polling booths are universally designed and that voting materials are available in easy-read formats.”
Additionally, he pointed out that the cost of medical certification for postal voting should be removed entirely.
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