For more than 2 million Dutch citizens, voting independently during elections is not a given. People with disabilities and those with low basic skills are less positive about their experiences with elections than those without disabilities or those who have more basic skills. This includes individuals who are in a wheelchair, are blind, or have difficulty reading.
Minister Uitermark of the Ministry of the Interior: “I believe that everyone should be able to vote in elections. For some people, this becomes easier if they receive physical assistance; others benefit from more explanations or additional information. We must support people in this, so that everyone feels involved in democracy and society.”
The action plan focuses on accessible information about elections. For example, about how voting works and what elections are about. This information needs to become more easily findable and suitable for people with disabilities and those with low basic skills. This includes texts in simpler language, an online version that can be read aloud, or information available in Dutch sign language.
The same applies to information from political parties and the meetings and debates they organize. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will discuss this with political parties to encourage them to work on this, where necessary with the support of experts by experience.
The Polling Station and Voting
The accessibility of polling stations for people with physical disabilities is also an important topic in the action plan. According to the Electoral Act, polling stations must be accessible to people with physical disabilities. Nevertheless, there are still often barriers, such as a too steep slope at the entrance, poor lighting, or the absence of a magnifying glass. Therefore, a list of tips for municipalities regarding facilities in polling stations will be created. Existing guidelines on accessibility will also be brought to the attention of municipalities.
Additionally, municipalities are encouraged to involve local disability platforms and experts by experience in the assessment of polling stations, to deploy sign language interpreters, and to provide information about busy and quiet times during elections.
Continuation
The action plan runs from 2025 to 2029 and has been developed with the help of interest organizations and experts by experience. The actions are divided among the authors of the action plan. In 2027, an assessment will be made of the progress and whether any actions need to be added or adjusted. In 2029, a final measurement will be conducted.