Candidate’s Guide to Accessible Elections
Helpful tips and information to help promote an accessible campaign experience.
Campaign communications
If available, include on all media – printed or electronic:
- Teletypewriter (TTY) information
- Information about campaign office accessibility (e.g., entrance access, parking and available accommodations)
- Clear instructions on how to request accessible formats or accommodations
This guidance is intended as a communications best practice, not a legal requirement unless otherwise stated.
General communication tips
- Use a minimum of 12 pt font and consider 18 pt font for headings
- Sans serif font, like Arial, is easier to read than serif font, like Times New Roman
- Use bolding for emphasis
- Have good colour contrast: black and white is easiest to read
- Don’t use all-caps or all lowercase: in large blocks of text it can be hard to read
Print media
All printed media should have a statement that “alternative formats are available upon requests". Alternative formats can include:
- Large print
- Braille
- Web page
Consider offering other assistive devices to people who request an alternative format, such as audio recordings or digital text files.
Electronic media
- Underlines are a visual indicator for links. Avoid using them for anything else
- Create accessible PDFs. Use PDF/Universal Accessibility (PDF/UA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards
- Create accessible websites.
Audio/Visual
- Include captions for video content
- Make recorded messages available in an alternate format, such as transcripts
- Where possible, ensure recordings are compatible with assistive technologies
At the campaign office
For a campaign office separate from your home, consider:
Exterior
- Near public transit
- Well-lit and marked entrances with signage
- Near pedestrian crossing with curb cuts and audio/visual signals
- Accessible parking with space for a wheelchair lift
- Ramps where stairs exist
- Level, clear and smooth routes to and from the building
Interior
- Wide and unobstructed hallways and doors to accommodate assistive devices
- Seating available for rest
- Non-slip flooring and level, stair/step-free access
Washrooms
- Large enough to accommodate assistive devices
- Close to the campaign office
- Signs with Braille or tactile lettering
- Equipped with grab/rear bars
- Easy to use sinks and covered hot water pipes
At events
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
- Book interpreters two to three weeks in advance and if the event is over two hours, plan for two interpreters
- Speak directly to the elector, not the interpreter
- Provide seating and rest areas
- Use microphones and visual displays
With volunteers
Don’t assume. Ask before assisting, listen carefully, and respond appropriately.
Budgeting
Costs associated with ensuring your campaign is accessible must be reported. Budget for possible accessibility requests like Sign Language Interpreters, Braille copies, other alternative formats and website accessibility.
- Election Workers
- Election Signs