Member Spotlight: Vote for Better Accessibility for Visually Impaired People

Voting is one of the most important ways people can have their say in society. It gives us a voice in decisions that affect our lives, our communities, and our future. But for many visually impaired people, voting is not always as simple or as accessible as it should be. 

Unfortunately, these challenges are not limited to election day. They reflect the everyday obstacles faced when accessing information, navigating public spaces and taking part fully in society. Accessibility should not be treated as a problem to fix at the last minute or an optional extra to consider later. Instead, it must be built in from the start and prioritised across all areas of life so that everyone can participate with dignity, independence and equal opportunity. 

Vote for improvements 

Visually impaired voters continue to face a number of challenges when attending polling stations. A key issue is that staff may not always feel fully confident in how to support voters who are visually impaired. This can lead to confusion about what help is available and inconsistent use of accessible voting tools and assistive equipment. Physical barriers also play a part, including poor lighting, unclear signage and layouts that can be difficult to navigate. Information about candidates and the voting process has not always been provided in formats that are easy to access, making it harder for people to make informed choices about who they wish to represent them. 

For many people, there is also a concern about losing their independence. Some are reluctant to ask for help if it means someone else may see how they vote. This can leave people feeling excluded from a process that should be open to everyone. 

“Inclusion and accessibility are not about doing something extra for disabled people. They are about removing unnecessary barriers so that everyone can take part in everyday life.” 

Ahead of the recent Scottish Parliament election, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans partnered with the Electoral Management Board for Scotland to deliver training to Returning Officers and more than 900 polling staff. This training focused on helping staff understand the needs of visually impaired voters and the support they are required to provide. 

The training was shaped by people with lived experience of visual impairment, alongside professional expertise from rehabilitation staff. This meant the training focused on the things people actually experience and gave clear, useful ways to support. It aims to improve staff confidence and make voting more consistent and accessible for visually impaired people. 

Accessible voting is part of a much bigger picture. In our 2026 manifesto, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans set out what needs to change to improve the lives of people with visual impairments across Scotland. Eye health services are under increasing pressure, with long waiting times for treatment. There is an urgent need for investment, including a commitment to build a new Eye Hospital in Edinburgh. 

We also want to work alongside the new Scottish Government for better access to vision rehabilitation, stronger community eye care, and more consistent support for both children and veterans with visual impairment. 

Vote for change 

There has also been real progress, showing what can be achieved when accessibility is prioritised. Following our Fair Rail campaign, anyone with an Eye +1 National Entitlement Card (NEC) can now travel free by train across Scotland with a companion, at no extra cost. This life changing step came after more than three years of campaigning by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, driven by the voices of service users who highlighted how unfair and inconsistent rail travel had become. Many were forced to pay extra for essential support, making journeys unaffordable, while travelling alone could be unsafe. 

We are delighted to see this change become permanent following a successful pilot that received overwhelmingly positive feedback from more than 1,500 visually impaired card holders. Inclusion and accessibility are not about doing something extra for disabled people. They are about removing unnecessary barriers so that everyone can take part in everyday life.