On the occasion of Quebec Disability Week, the RAPLIQ decided to publish a series of 16 recommendations intended for Elections Montreal to ensure that everyone can vote in the upcoming municipal elections.
Montreal elections 2013
The RAPLIQ demands
- R1. Whereas the architectural accessibility of 100% of the polling stations.
- R2. Whereas if it is absolutely impossible to make one of these polling stations universally accessible and safe, the only other alternative retained by our organization is to erect one (or more) marquee (s) heated on the site of the targeted polling station, to condemn the main entrance, so that all, without exception, go to vote under the marquee.
- R3. Whereas if the building that will be used as a polling station must be made accessible, it must be done in a safe manner, respecting the standards in force and the requirements set out in section 10 of the “Guide to Design Standards without obstacle” of the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)
- R4. Whereas the accessible entrance is at least 90 cm wide and the threshold is on one level or bevelled on the outside and inside.
- R5. Whereas if it is necessary to install an access ramp covered with an anti-stripping surface, that this meets the minimum tilt criteria of 1: 12 (1 inch by foot), are provided with edges of at least 8 cm, with a minimum width of 1.20 m. and handrails between 860 and 920 mm above the surface of the ramp.
- R6. Whereas a barrier-free route is planned from the entrance door accessible to the voting booth
- R7. Whereas a public telephone is installed near the accessible entrance.
- R8. Whereas to meet the needs of people with visual limitations, it is essential that templates superimposing the ballots frame the ballot well and are available at all times and in all Montreal polling stations.
- R9. Whereas at all times and in all Montreal polling stations, when a person with a visual impairment requests to be accompanied either by their guide or by a member of the electoral staff, they will obtain this assistance automatically.
- R10. Whereas if a deaf or hard of hearing person comes with a signed language interpreter because they need their services, they will be allowed to do so.
- R11. Whereas for a person with a motor, visual or hearing limitation, it is possible that he may be accompanied by a guide or assistance dog trained by one of the major foundations in the country and will be authorized to do so.
- R12. Whereas a person who may present an intellectual limitation must also be accompanied in the voting booth and will be authorized to do so.
- R13. Whereas a voter guide also written in simplified language will be available since the start of the 2013 election campaign.
- R14. Whereas the visual information capsules presented on the web and on television will now have to take into account the needs of people with a hearing limitation and will be subtitled and interpreted in Quebec signed language (LSQ).
- R15. Whereas during a televised / webcast debate of the chiefs, said debate will also be translated in the two ways mentioned in the Expected R14.
- R16. Whereas all the expected R1 to R15 must have been the subject of a serious training of the administrative staff of the Registry responsible for the Presidency of Elections Montreal and of the electoral staff and must at all times respect the principles and values of the Charter of rights and freedoms.