Sight Scotland has been working with the Electoral Management Board for Scotland to help improve access to voting for blind and partially sighted people ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7th May.
The charity, which has a base in Paisley at the Sight Scotland Veterans Hawkhead Centre on Hawkhead Road, supported the development of training for Returning Officers and more than 900 polling staff across Scotland.
The Hawkhead Centre is an activity hub for ex-servicemen and women of all ages living with significant sight loss, offering a welcoming space where veterans can connect and build confidence.
The new training aims to ensure visually impaired voters can cast their vote independently and in secret.
Barriers at polling stations can include poor lighting, unclear signage and a lack of accessible information, as well as uncertainty among staff about how best to support voters.
The training video, developed with input from Sight Scotland’s Policy Group and rehabilitation team, gives practical guidance on assisting voters, including sighted guiding, explaining layouts and supporting those who request help to mark their ballot.
Colette Walker, co-chair of Sight Scotland Policy Group, said: “Every adult has a democratic right to cast their vote in privacy. By breaking down these long-standing barriers, we are ensuring that visually impaired voters in our communities finally have the same say as everyone else.”
Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, added that measures are already in place to support voters, including large print ballot papers, tactile voting devices and audio versions of ballots.
He said the new training will help polling staff feel more confident in offering the right support on election day.
Sight Scotland hopes the work will encourage more blind and partially sighted people to take part in the election with confidence.