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Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Constituency, Riding Association,
Central Party and Campaign Offices
How to Use this Guide
The Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Constituency, Riding Association, Central Party and Campaign Offices has been developed to assist you and your campaign team to look at ways of actively ensuring that voters with disabilities are included in practical ways in your activities from the launch of your campaign to Election Day.
Accessibility is key to meaningful interaction with all voters. An office located on the ground floor that is easily accessible, close to public transport and with convenient parking, away from railroads and other sources of environmental noise, is the most desirable location for you to meet and interact with voters. A building that is accessible to people with disabilities will benefit all users.
It is important that you carefully assess your building, as it is easy to overlook barriers.
If a facility has steps without a ramp, multiple levels without an elevator, no accessible stall in the washroom or inadequate parking, you will need to look elsewhere for a more accessible facility.
It is helpful to use a checklist when visiting a site or assessing your own facility to make sure that important features are not overlooked. It is likely that a facility will not meet every requirement on a checklist, but using a checklist is important, as it will help to identify barriers that can be removed or modified.
The goal of your assessment should be to provide universal access for all people, including all ages and abilities, an overall functional environment, which will benefit everyone and offer equal opportunity to information and interaction with members of your campaign team, community services, employment, and volunteer experiences.
You should consider the needs of people with mobility, agility, strength, endurance and coordination disabilities; vision and hearing loss, cognitive and learning disabilities and the needs of people with mental illness.