Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections

Annex 1: Disabled Access Checklist

ACCESS TO POLLING: PRESIDING OFFICER'S CHECKLIST

This checklist draws on the national access standards which have been produced by the Home Office to assist Returning Officers and Presiding Officers when choosing and preparing locations for use as polling stations.

POLLING PLACE ACCESS

Site Approach

Reserved parking place, if available	Is the parking place clearly signposted?
Condition of pathways	Are there any obstructions which you can remove or arrange for someone else to remove?
External lighting	Are there any external (e.g. porch) lights switched on/working? Is there someone who can becontacted to arrange for the lights to work?
Designated entrance	Is the proposed entrance door clearly signposted? Is it accessible to someone in a wheelchair or with mobility problems? Is it possible to use an alternative and more accessible entrance?
Steps	Has temporary ramping been provided for any steps? Is it securely fixed or does it feel unsafe to walk on? Is there a lip or gap at the top of the ramp?
Entrance door	Can someone in a wheelchair or with mobility/sight problems open and get through the door safely? Does it open outwards onto a restricted space? Is the door wide enough to allow a wheelchair to turn? Is there a doorsill which needs to be ramped?
POLLING STATION ACCESS

Entrance	Is there a door well or mat which could be hazardous to some one with poor sight or mobility?
Access corridors	Are access corridors wide enough to allow a wheelchair or walking frame to be easily manoeuvred? Are there any internal steps which need to be ramped or any obstructions or hazards which you could remove or arrange to have removed? Is the route clearly lit and signposted for someone with sight difficulties?
Floors	Are floors even with non-slip surfaces? If not is there someone who can arrange to provide safe coverings?
Polling station equipment	Is there a wheelchair accessible polling compartment? Has the posting slot on the ballot box been highlighted for contrast?
Polling station layout	Does your proposed layout take account of safe wheelchair access to the wheelchair accessible polling compartment? Are polling compartments located to make most efficient use of natural and electric lighting? Is the ballot box at a height where it is accessible to someone in a wheelchair? Can seats be provided where people can rest after voting without jeopardising the secrecy of the ballot box?