Accessibility

We are committed to removing barriers to voting, and following the four core principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act:

• Respect for the dignity of persons with disabilities
• Respect for the independence of persons with disabilities
• Goods and services that are integrated for persons with disabilities
• Equality in the ability to obtain, use and benefit from goods and services given to others

Elections officials at all our voting locations have been trained to provide accessible customer service and to assist voters with the following tools and services:

• Election officials can bring the ballot outside the voting location to make the process more accessible. Please contact your returning officer for more information.
• Voters can request a transfer to another voting location that better meets their accessibility needs. The request must be made before election day at the returning office.
• Voters can bring a friend or support person to assist with marking their ballot.
• Voters can use their mobile phones and/or devices as an accessibility tool.
• Voters can request magnifiers and ballot templates with braille numbering and cut outs.
• Voters who require an American Sign Language Interpreter may book one through Canadian Hearing Services. Voters who require an Intervenor may book one through Canadian Hearing Services or the CNIB DeafBlind Community Services (DBCS).
  • DBCS’ Intervenor Services are available in Western and Eastern Ontario and in the Greater Toronto Area.
  • In Northern Ontario, Canadian Hearing Services is the service provider for Intervenor support.
  • Canadian Hearing Services and DBCS will bill Elections Ontario directly for the cost.
• Service animals are permitted in returning offices, satellite offices and in voting locations.
• We work to ensure voting locations meet our Site Accessibility Standards, where possible.

If you are unable to go to a voting location, you have the following options:

• Voting by mail – Find out more on how to submit a Vote by Mail application.
• Voting by home visit – Once an election has been called, contact your returning office to arrange a home visit. You can use our Voter Information Service to find your returning office.
• Voting while in hospital – Once an election has been called, the returning office will arrange temporary voting in hospitals. You can use our Voter Information Service to find your returning office for more information. Please note that voting in hospitals is not available during a by-election.

Assistive Voting Technology lets voters listen to their ballot choices and cast their ballot secretly and independently. It is available in all returning offices and satellite offices from the first day of advance voting until 6 PM (Eastern Time) the day before election day.

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.

Learn more about our commitment to accessibility in our 2017-2021 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and the status updates below:

Elections Ontario works to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA. All PDFs on our website are accessible.

Should you require an alternative accessible format, communication support, or require assistance with our website, 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
• Website feedback form

All questions and feedback will be processed within 24 hours.