HUMAN RIGHTS SETTLEMENT ASSURES SECRET BALLOTS

In a human rights settlement, the City of Saskatoon has agreed to provide election information sheets in Braille to better accommodate persons with visual impairments to vote secretly.

"Through the mediation process, both parties worked co-operatively to find a solution that guarantees the voting rights and privileges of those who are visually impaired," Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Donna Scott said.

"Before mediation there was an acknowledgement of the issue," Robin East said. East filed a complaint of discrimination based on disability with the Human Rights Commission following the 2000 civic election. "It was a welcoming change, to abandon an adversarial approach and begin immediately with dialogue that led to an appropriate resolution."

The City has agreed to have the voter information sheet provided in Number 1 Braille, which will include the same information that is on the ballot and facilitate the independent use of the template currently provided to visually-impaired voters. In the past, voters needed to be assisted with the template by having someone read the ballot.

"Each template has a hole so voters can find the corresponding spot to mark your X," East said. "You can now take the information, go behind the box and vote without anyone assisting you. You can be completely independent."

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Scott Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Saskatoon Phone: (306)933-5952