2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan

The Town of East Gwillimbury is committed to identifying, removing, and preventing accessibility-related barriers that inhibit individuals from participating in the electoral process in preparation for the 2026 Municipal Election. The 2026 Municipal Election will ensure that:

• Candidates and electors with disabilities have full and equal access to all election information and services;
• Every effort is made to ensure voting places are accessible;
• Persons with disabilities can independently and privately mark their ballot and have access to alternative methods of voting assistance.

This plan sets out the principles and actions that will be employed to accommodate electors with disabilities and that will guide the Town of East Gwillimbury in delivering an accessible election.

Legislative Requirements

The Municipal Clerk is responsible for the proper legislative and administrative oversight of municipal elections in the Town of East Gwillimbury. In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Clerk is authorized to establish policies and procedures to ensure that all electors and candidates have the opportunity to fully participate in the 2026 Municipal Election.

Specifically, the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, defines the requirements for conducting an election with regard for persons with disabilities as follows:

12.1 (1) A clerk who is responsible for conducting an election shall have regard to the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities.

12.1 (2) The clerk shall prepare a plan regarding the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the plan available to the public before voting day in a regular election.

12.1 (3) Within 90 days after voting day in a regular election, the clerk shall prepare a report about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the report available to the public.

41 (3) The clerk shall make such changes to some or all of the ballots as he or she considers necessary or desirable to allow electors with visual impairments to vote without the assistance referred to in paragraph 4 of subsection 52 (1).

45 (2) In establishing the locations of voting places, the clerk shall ensure that each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities.

45 (9) To allow an elector with a disability to vote, a deputy returning officer shall attend on the elector anywhere within the area designated as the voting place.

52 (1)(4) The deputy returning officer may permit an elector who needs assistance in voting to have such assistance as the deputy returning officer considers necessary.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 broadly defines “disability” as follows:

(a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,

(b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,

(c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,

(d) a mental disorder, or

(e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”)

References

In addition to the legislative requirements set out in the Municipal Elections Act, the Town of East Gwillimbury will adhere to the following Town resources while conducting the 2026 Municipal Election:

• Accessibility Policy (10-300-CP-056)
• Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

In developing this plan, the Town also conducted a review and analysis of documents, policies and other supporting materials from the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, neighbouring municipalities and other stakeholder groups.

Objectives

This plan highlights measures that the Town has implemented, or will be implementing, to ensure equal opportunity for all electors and candidates. This plan ensures compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. These objectives include:

• That all voting locations are accessible;
• That the two voting methods are accessible;
• That persons with disabilities are able to independently cast their vote and verify their selection;
• That persons with disabilities have full and equal access to all information on where and when to vote and on eligible candidates;
• That persons with disabilities can fully participate in the Municipal Election as an elector, candidate or election official;
• That accessibility principles are integrated into all interactions with electors and candidates;
• That efforts are made to ensure that electors with disabilities are aware of the accessibility measures available via channels such as the Voter Information Letter, newspaper, media launches, the Town’s website, and social media.

Consultation

The Town will consult with individuals and groups who are knowledgeable in providing services to persons with disabilities and who have lived experience.

Consultation initiatives include:

• Presenting the 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan to the Town of East Gwillimbury Accessibility Advisory Committee;
• Collaborating with the Town’s Accessibility, Indigeneity and Equity Coordinator to gain feedback on potential barriers and methods to overcome these barriers; and
• Posting the 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan online with contact details for feedback or more information.

Voting Location

Voting locations will be selected based on their ability to meet or exceed established accessibility standards. Each site will undergo a comprehensive pre-election accessibility audit using a standardized checklist to ensure compliance with legislative and policy requirements.

The following actions will be taken to address barriers to accessibility at voting locations:

Accessible Route

An easily navigable route will be marked for entry into the voting location and into the voting area within the location. The voting area will be identified with clear and understandable signage.

Parking

Designated parking for electors with disabilities will be provided in close proximity to the entrance of the Voting Location where possible. Accessible parking spaces will be clearly marked and will be on firm and level ground.

Entrance/Exit to the Voting Location

All entrances to the Voting Location will be easy to access and barrier free. Every effort will be made to ensure that the door into the interior Voting Area is wide enough for a wheelchair, scooter, other assistive device or service animal to pass through safely and easily. Should doors into the interior Voting Area not be accessible, the doors shall remain propped open for the duration of the voting location hours. Routine checks will be made to ensure all entrances remain barrier free through the course of the day.

Interior Voting Area

Access to the interior Voting Area will be level and easily traversed. Any doormats or carpeting will be level with the floor to prevent potential tripping hazards. All voting areas are to be well lit, and seating will be made available.

Special Voting Locations

As required by the Municipal Elections Act, Section 45(7), voting places shall be provided on the premises of the following institutions:

1. An institution for the reception, treatment, or vocational training of members or former members of the Canadian Forces.
2. An institution in which, on September 1, 20 or more beds are occupied by persons who are disabled, chronically ill, or infirm.
3. A retirement home in which, on September 1, 50 or more beds are occupied.

The Town will confirm eligibility and schedule voting at these institutions on designated days, which will be communicated to residents in advance of Voting Day to ensure awareness and accessibility.

Voting Methods

Online

Online voting will be available in addition to in-person voting. Electors may vote online, using the internet on a computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet device. Any accompanying assistive devices or software electors normally use when browsing the internet can also be used when casting a ballot online.

The online voting platform meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-2.1 Level AA), so that persons with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the online voting system. It is compliant with the guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium website principles, which include organization, functionality and readability of information provided, as well as alternative ways of representing information, such as with audio.

Assistive Voting Technology

Assistive Voting Technology allows electors to listen to their ballot choices and mark their ballot privately and independently.

Electors will be able to mark their ballot using the following options:

• 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 electors to mark their ballot by "sipping" (inhaling) or "puffing" (exhaling) into a straw.

Assistive Voting Technology will be made available by appointment at the Town of East Gwillimbury Civic Centre (19000 Leslie Street, Sharon, ON) during the advance voting period and on the final Voting Day. Appointments may be made by emailing elections@eastgwillimbury.ca.

Voting Assistance

Assistive Devices

Each Voting Place will be equipped with appropriate assistive devices, to be provided to electors based on an identified need to assist them in marking their ballot. The following aids will be made available to electors:

• Magnifying sheets to enlarge ballot text;
• Pads of paper and pens to assist with communication.

Support Persons and Service Animals

Electors with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person and/or service animal within the Voting Place. Support persons who take an oath administered by an Election Official may attend with the elector behind the voting screen or any other place in the voting location deemed suitable to assist the elector in marking their ballot or reading the ballot aloud. If necessary, the support person may also assist the elector in delivering the ballot, in the secrecy folder, to election staff.

Election Officials in each Voting Place can also assist electors with disabilities in casting their vote. Prior to entering the voting booth, the Election Official shall, in conjunction with the elector, determine the extent to which they need assistance and the best way in which this assistance can be provided. This may be marking the ballot as directed by the person with the disability.

Assistive Personal Equipment

Electors with disabilities may use assistive personal devices including but not limited to wheelchairs, walkers, white canes, walking canes, note-taking devices, portable magnifiers, recording machines, assistive listening devices, personal oxygen tanks, and devices for grasping.

Accessibility Training

All Election Officials will be trained to recognize and ensure that persons with disabilities are served in a way that accommodates their individual needs. Training will include:

• How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
• How to interact with persons with disabilities who use assistive devices or require the assistance of a service animal or support person;
• How to use voting equipment and assistive devices to deliver election services; and
• What to do if a person is having difficulty accessing election information or services.

Communications

The Town of East Gwillimbury recognizes the importance of clear and accessible communication to electors and candidates for information and accommodation.

Information about the election will be available on the Town’s website where updates can be made quickly to reflect new details about the election. Electors can also make an inquiry and/or submit feedback via email or phone.

Accessible Formats

Election materials will be designed and delivered in formats that are accessible to all electors, ensuring barrier-free access to information throughout the election process. To achieve this, election information will be provided in multiple formats to accommodate diverse needs, and all online content will meet recognized accessibility standards.

Election materials will be available in:

• Large print for individuals with low vision;
• Digital formats compatible with screen readers to support assistive technology users.

Additionally, all election-related online content will comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards, ensuring barrier-free access to election information across digital platforms.

Service Disruptions

In the event of a temporary accessible service disruption, Election Officials will commit to making reasonable efforts to ensure that services are reinstated as quickly as possible and that alternative services are provided where feasible.

In the event of disruptions to service or unforeseen circumstances that affect the accessibility of Voting Locations during the advance vote or on the final voting day, Notices of Disruption will be posted in real time:

• on the Town’s website, election website, and social media channels;
• at the site of the disruption; and
• where applicable, a media advisory will be issued.

Feedback on Election Accessibility

Election staff welcome feedback to identify areas where changes enhance the delivery of a fully accessible election for electors, candidates, and election workers. The feedback process provides election staff with an opportunity to take corrective measures to prevent similar recurrences, address training needs, enhance service delivery, and provide alternative methods of providing election information and service. Staff will review all feedback and will revise this plan as appropriate.

Within 90 days after the Election, a report will be prepared on the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities.

Feedback may be submitted by any one of the following methods:

For general accessibility questions or requests for alternative formats and accommodations, please email aoda@eastgwillimbury.ca.