Accessibility in provincial elections

We have adopted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act’s (AODA) four core principles as part of our continued commitment to identify, prevent and remove access barriers so that persons with disabilities can fully participate in the electoral process. 

All voting locations are inspected for accessibility using our Site Accessibility Standards that include requirements under the AODA’s Design of Public Spaces Standard and the Ontario Building Code. 

Returning office and voting location information will be available through Voter Information Service for once an election has been called.

Election officials are trained in accessible customer service to show respect for persons with disabilities by allowing them to make their own choices in accessing the tools and services required to successfully navigate through the voting process in the same or similar way as all voters.

• Curbside voting where the ballot is brought outside the voting location by an election official.
• Support persons to assist the voter with communication, mobility, personal care for medical needs and/or accessing goods, services or facilities. 

• Guide dogs or service animals under the constant care and control of the voter. 
• Mobile phones and/or devices voters use as an accessibility tool. 
• Magnifiers and ballot templates with braille numbering and cut outs for voter use.

American Sign Language (ASL) and Langues des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) Interpreters and Intervenors are booked by the voter and billed directly to us.

• ASL and LSQ Interpreters booked and billed through Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). 

• ASL and LSQ Intervenors booked and billed through CHS in Northern Ontario and CNIB DeafBlind Community Services in Western and Eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area.

• Canadian Hearing Services – Interpreting and Translation Services

  • phone: 1.866.518.0000

  • tty: 1.877.215.9530

  • email: interpreting@chs.ca

• CNIB DeafBlind Community Services

  • phone: 613.324.2680
  • email: jessica.white@deafblindservices.ca

Once an election has been called, you can use our Voter Information Service to find your returning office contact information and learn more about the following options if you are unable to go to a voting location:

• Vote by mail – submit a Vote by Mail application.
• Vote by home visit – arrange a home visit.
• Vote while in hospital – arrange temporary voting. Please note that voting in hospitals is not available during a by-election
• Transfer to a more accessible voting location - request a transfer to another voting location that better meets your accessibility needs. The request must be made before election day at the returning office.

Assistive voting technology lets voters listen to their ballot choices and cast their ballot secretly and independently. 

Voters can use Assistive Voting Technology from the first day of advance voting until 6 PM (Eastern Time) the day before election day, or by appointment on election day. Walk-in requests to use the technology will be accommodated, where possible.

Voters can choose between three controller options to make their selection:

• Audio tactile interface: the controller has audio directions, and features large raised buttons, bright colours and braille inscriptions. 
• Paddles: the paddles can be pressed using hands, feet, or elbows to vote.

• Sip and puff technology: the device allows voters to mark their ballot by "sipping" (inhaling) or "puffing" (exhaling) into a straw.

Returning office and voting location information is available through Voter Information Service once an election has been called.

Get personalized election information with our mobile app! 

Download the Elections Ontario app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account to access the following once an election has been called:

• A scannable version of your voter information card

• A full list of your voting locations and dates  
• Customizable election notifications 
• A list of candidates for your electoral district

The app has been designed to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and is compatible with various assistive technologies.

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Elections Ontario must have a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and yearly Status Updates that identify the steps we are taking to comply with requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

Learn more about our commitment to accessibility in our 2022-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and the Status Updates below:

We work to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA guidelines. All PDFs on our website are accessible.

Requests for accessible formats and communication supports are provided or arranged for in a timely manner that considers the person’s accessibility needs.

Should you require assistance with our website, or want to provide general feedback, please contact us in one of the following ways:

• email:  info@elections.on.ca

• phone:  1-888-668-8683

• TTY: 1-888-292-2312

• fax: 1-866-714-2809

• mail: Elections Ontario, 51 Rolark Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M1R 3B1 

• in person at 51 Rolark Drive, Toronto

All questions and feedback will be processed within 24 hours.