PART IX. Identifying Initiatives and Actions 1. GENERAL Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status Provide training to all HQ staff on the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, including customer service standard regulation and other standards to be developed Increased awareness among staff to ensure understanding of EM’s requirements under the legislation Ongoing Review manuals and training materials to: ensure all field staff are aware of accessibility options for voting incorporate customer service standard increase awareness of how to communicate with/assist voters with disabilities Better accessibility and service for voters in future elections and byelections In progress; to be in place for 2020 general election Continue to document processes that ensure voting is accessible and make those processes available to the public in plain language Increased public awareness of accessibility measures in place to facilitate voting for people with disabilities Ongoing
With the assistance of Manitoba disabilities organizations, develop and conduct a post-election survey of their clients’ experience during the election Better understanding of needs and experiences of voters with disabilities After the 2020 general election Investigate the possibility of offering a live chat option during the election period as an additional method to provide feedback and ask questions about the election Additional method of customer feedback To be in place for 2020 general election Following a general election, review customer service feedback received to inform future planning for prevention and removal of barriers Effective use of resources to prevent and remove barriers for greatest customer service impact Ongoing Continue to register and provide information to voters at homeless shelters Reduction of barriers to voting for marginalized Ongoing Make large/easy-grip pencils available at voting places for voters to mark their ballots Greater ease for voters to mark their ballot To be in place for 2020 general election
3. VOTING OPPORTUNITIES Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status Examine the feasibility of having (a) designated voting station(s) with specialized help for those with disabilities More convenience and access to voters with a wide variety of disabilities Long term – after 2020 general election Introduce a recommendation to extend the absentee/ write-in ballot opportunity to people with disabilities who are unable to go to a voting place2 By the 2020 general election 4. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status Continue to review communications materials to ensure they are written in plain language Increased understanding of election processes, requirements and voting opportunities for all stakeholders Ongoing Review directional and way- finding signage at voting locations to ensure it is clear and easy to understand. Continue to place staff at entrances to voting places so they can direct voters in the building Improved access to voting place. Ongoing 2 A legislative amendment may be required to bring this into effect.
Include close captioning in election TV commercials for 2020 and any other widely viewed public videos produced by EM Better awareness of voting opportunities and election information To be in place for 2020 general election Circulate information to all staff on creating accessible documents More pro-active approach to developing documents that are accessible, rather than responding to requests for a document in an alternate format Ongoing Ensure WCAG compliance for voting opportunities sections of the Elections Manitoba website Better user experience for people with disabilities; better access to information for voters with disabilities To be in place for 2020 general election Partner with disabilities organizations to inform disabilities communities about accessibility services and voting opportunities More voters with disabilities can vote more easily Ongoing Keep registered parties and candidates informed about Elections Manitoba’s efforts to increase accessibility, e.g. provide accessibility plan to them, and encourage them to make their materials and events more accessible Better accessibility in all aspects of the process Ongoing