Accessibility in provincial elections

We have adopted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act’s (AODA) four core principles as part of our continued commitment to identify, prevent and remove access barriers so that persons with disabilities can fully participate in the electoral process. 

All voting locations are inspected for accessibility using our Site Accessibility Standards that include requirements under the AODA’s Design of Public Spaces Standard and the Ontario Building Code. 

Returning office and voting location information will be available through Voter Information Service once an election has been called.

Eligible electors can make their own choice in accessing the tools and services required to successfully navigate through the voting process.

• Use a mobile phone and/or electronic device as an accessibility tool. 
• Bring a support person to assist with communication, mobility, personal care for medical needs and/or accessing goods, services or facilities. 
• Bring a guide dog or service animal. 
• Use magnifiers and ballot templates with braille numbering and cut outs for voter use.
• Contact your returning office to request curbside voting. The election official would bring the ballot outside the voting location for you to vote.

American Sign Language (ASL) and Langues des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) Interpreters and Intervenors are booked by the voter and billed directly to Elections Ontario.

• ASL and LSQ Interpreters booked and billed through Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). 

• ASL and LSQ Intervenors booked and billed through CHS in Northern Ontario and CNIB DeafBlind Community Services in Western and Eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area.

• Canadian Hearing Services – Interpreting Services for all areas in Ontario and Intervenor Services for North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins only:

  • phone: 1.866.518.0000, press 1 for interpreting services

  • email: interpreting@chs.ca

  • skype: callois.chs

  • fax: 1.855.259.7557

  • tty: 1.877.215.9530

• CNIB DeafBlind Community Services – Intervenor Services for all other areas in Ontario:

  • Hamilton
    • phone: 905.688.0022 ext. 5333
    • email: tammy.taylor@deaflblindservices.ca
  • London
    • phone: 519.685.8420 ext. 5103
    • email: beverly.morris@deafblindservices.ca
  • Ottawa
    • phone: 613.563.4021 ext. 5016
    • email: jessica.white@deafblindservices.ca
  •  Toronto 
    • phone: 416.486.2500 ext. 8282
    • email: melinda.allen@deafblindservices.ca

Braille requests

Once an election has been called in your electoral district, you can contact us to request a voter information card or a Notice to Voters in braille. 

• Requests for braille voter information cards which contain information about when and where to vote.
• Requests for braille Notice to Voters which contain the full list of candidates.

You can request these braille items by: 

• email: info@elections.on.ca
• phone: 1.888.668.8683

Once an election has been called in your electoral district, use Voter Information Service to find your returning office and voting location information. If you are unable to go to a voting location, you can:

• vote by mail – submit a Vote by Mail application.
• vote by home visit – arrange a home visit.
• vote while in hospital – this is only available during a general election.
• request a transfer to a more accessible voting location – contact your returning office before election day to request to be transferred to another voting location that better meets your accessibility needs.

Assistive voting technology allows voters to listen to their ballot choices and cast their ballot secretly and independently. 

Voters can use Assistive Voting Technology from the first day of advance voting until 6 PM (Eastern Time) the day before election day, or by appointment on election day. Walk-in requests to use the technology will be accommodated, where possible.

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.

Get personalized provincial election information with our mobile app! 

Download the Elections Ontario app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account to access the following once an election has been called in your electoral district:

• a scannable version of your voter information card

• a full list of your voting locations and dates
• customizable election notifications 
• a list of candidates for your electoral district

The app has been designed to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and is compatible with various assistive technologies.

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Elections Ontario must have a Multi Year Accessibility Plan and yearly Status Updates that identify the steps we are taking to comply with requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

Learn more about our commitment to accessibility in our 2022-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and the Status Updates below:

We are compliant with WCAG 2.0 Level AA guidelines. All PDFs on our website are accessible.

Requests for accessible formats will be processed in a timely manner.

Please contact us if you have any questions/feedback, require a document in an alternative accessible format or need assistance with our website:

• email:  info@elections.on.ca

• phone:  1.888.668.8683

• TTY: 1.888.292.2312

• fax: 1.866.714.2809

• mail: Elections Ontario, 26 Prince Andrew Place, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 2H4