This blog post outlines the key information provided by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for people with disability

Voting is an important part of civic participation, and many people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy may want to know what options exist to make the process easier and more accessible. With the 2025 Federal Election coming soon on Saturday 3 May, The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) outlines a range of services and supports that aim to help people with disability take part in federal elections safely and independently: Information for people with disability

If you're preparing to vote in the next election, it's worth exploring what’s available and planning ahead to make the process as smooth as possible. Here’s a summary of the information available through the AEC.

Voting at a Polling Place

Polling places are rated for accessibility as:

• Wheelchair accessible
• Assisted wheelchair access
• Not wheelchair accessible

You can search polling places in your area and check their accessibility status ahead of time. Some venues may also have additional supports available, like portable hearing loops, text-to-speech pens, or virtual Auslan interpreter services: Where can I vote in the 2025 election? | Australian Electoral Commission

If you need help on the day, you can ask a trusted person to accompany you (as long as they’re not a candidate) or request support from a trained election staff member. In some cases, staff may be able to bring voting materials to your car.

Postal Voting

If you can't get to a polling place in person, you can apply for a postal vote. This allows you to vote from home and return your ballot via mail. For people with ongoing mobility limitations, registering as a general postal voter means you’ll automatically receive voting materials by mail for future federal elections too—no need to apply each time.

Mobile Voting

AEC mobile polling teams may visit supported accommodation, hospitals, or other facilities to provide in-person voting to people who are unable to travel. Contact your facility or the AEC to ask whether mobile voting will be available in your location.

Telephone Voting

For people who are blind or have low vision, telephone voting is an option that allows you to vote independently and confidentially. After registering, you’ll be guided through the voting process over the phone by trained AEC staff.

Practise Voting

These practise voting tools have been developed to explain the easiest way to make sure your vote will count in federal election events. They are interactive with easy to follow instructions on how to complete your ballot papers correctly: Practise voting | Australian Electoral Commission

Additional Resources

The AEC also provides a wide range of accessible resources to help people better understand how voting works. These tools can help remove uncertainty and support more informed participation in the electoral process:

• Easy Read guides that explain key steps simply
• Auslan video explainers on topics such as enrolment and voting procedures
• Social stories designed to walk through the experience of voting
• Election guides in accessible formats like large print, braille, audio, and accessible PDFs

Everyone deserves the opportunity to vote with confidence. If you or someone you support is preparing to vote, these services can help ensure a more accessible and informed experience at election time. 

To explore all the resources and supports available, visit: https://www.aec.gov.au/assistance

For more information about developing friendships and relationships, My CP Guide has information resources for people of all age groups with cerebral palsy. Visit the Relationships section of the site to browse a variety of resources.