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About this submission
Continued participation in election processes is an important part of social inclusion for older people, as well as a key aspect of their right to political engagement and decision-making about their own lives. For this reason, COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria welcome the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry into the accessibility of voting centres at Victorian State elections. This builds on our previous and ongoing liaison with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).
In making this submission, we highlight the importance of specifically addressing the needs of older people, both as a large proportion of those living with a disability and in relation to other aspects of ageing that also impact on accessibility and support needs.
Overall, older Victorians enjoy reasonably good access to voting and have benefited from a number of recent innovations, particularly expansion of early voting. It is clear, however, that some sections of the older community experience access barriers and that there is room for improvement in helping them get to and move through centres comfortably. Much of this can be achieved through universal design rather than aged or disability specific measures.
The suggestions for improvement made here are informed by a purpose-specific online survey of our members (111 respondents), and the application of accessibility issues for older people raised in similar contexts. We gratefully acknowledge input made to this submission by the Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG).
Photo by Edmond Dantès.