Casting My Vote In A World That's Not Always Accessible
@danishcanadian (28954)
Canada
June 7, 2018 4:01am CST
I love it when political parties go above and beyond, for the voters. My husband is an American, and can not vote in Canadian elections, but he still loves to get involved in local politics. By a happy coincidence, we are both interested in the same political party, and for the durration of the campaign, he has been volunteering for them. Due to visual issues of mine, there's nothing I can really do in the office, or I'd volunteer too. Anyway, they know us both now.
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I received my voter registration card in the mail, and saw that the polling place was not far from my apartment. When I get to the little church where the poll is, I can see my 11 story apartment building, but I can not see the little church from the apartment. Because I can not see it from here, I WILL get lost trying to get there. My vision is hard to explain to someone who does not have it. Hubby and I walked there once for a meeting, and while I could get there OK, it was a little hard walking back, because i was tired. Because of my walking and vision, getting there and back would be hard, but it's so close to the building that tasking a taxi would be a waste!! I got a bright idea, and called the party for whom I intended to vote. When I told them my problem, they offered to drive me there and back! Yay!!! They are going to pick me up this afternoon at 3 PM, I'll cast my vote, and they'll bring me home. The whole thing should take about 20 minutes, if that.
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How are the elections where you are? If there are mobility and accessibility issues involved, are he local political parties willing to help? If so, how?
1 person likes this
1 response
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Jun 18
I didn't get a registration card but having worked as a poll clerk for various previous elections (in Hamilton) I knew I could just show up with my photo ID and a utility bill. While I was there, not one but two people tried to vote out of their ridings. The one fellow was getting quite riled up about it.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28954)
• Canada
8 Jun 18
Funny you should mention poll clerks. I am legally blind (not profoundly blind, legally blind!) and I walk with a white support cane. I can read close up, but I can't read signs across the room. I walked into my polling place, and upon seeing the cane, the clerk grabs my arm, shoves an envelope in front of me and demands I "touch it" to make sure it's the right one. Still trying to get my eyes focused in the room, I had no friggen clue what she meant. Touch it? Why are you asking me to touch a white piece of paper, and why are you yelling at me? Then she says "what, you don't read braille?" Rather than assuming, she could've asked a question like "can you see at all," or "how uch can you see?" or "do you need help?" It's better to risk asking a stupid question (there are NO stupid questions!) than make a stupid assumption. I'm not saying she was stupid, but people are generally ignorant when it comes to "challenges," and a little common sense would go a long way, in this department.
On the plus side, it gave me an idea. I'm going to talk to our newly elected MPP, and see about going around Ontario giving talks on being legally blind and what it means.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Jun 18
@danishcanadian That greeter obviously wasn't paying attention during her training, or the trainer was remiss in telling her to ASK FIRST if the person wants assistance.
