§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to inform blind and visually impaired people of the new procedures to assist independent voting for blind and partially sighted people. [158072]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI was joined on 22 March by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) representatives to launch publicly the availability of the130W voting device and the large print display ballot paper at polling stations. The device was featured on the BBC Radio 4 "In Touch" programme on 3 and 10 April, including an interview I gave on the subject.
The braille and audio tape versions of a leaflet on postal voting, "Make your voice heard", also contain information about the new voting procedures at polling stations for blind and partially sighted voters.
Electoral administrators have been encouraged to make contact with local organisations representing the visually impaired to organise demonstrations of the voting device. The RNIB has been closely involved in the development of the device and has assisted in publicising the new voting procedures.