Vision Norfolk provides voting guide for visually impaired

Approximately 38,000 are thought to have some form of sight loss across the county.

In light of upcoming general election, Vision Norfolk has set out several options for those unable to vote traditionally due to their impairment.

On top of the large print ballot papers, magnifiers, additional lighting, pencil grips, and help available by request at polling stations, voters can also opt for postal or proxy voting.

A machine is also on trial in select parts of Norfolk, allowing the vision impaired to vote without sighted assistance, assuring a private ballot.

On top of that, tactile voting devices are on offer.

These fit over the voting paper and host numbered flaps corresponding to the candidate list, which can be read out on demand or in advance via audio.

Particularly promising is the availability of the McGonagle Reader device in some areas.

Andrew Morter, chief executive of Vision Norfolk (Image: Submitted)

It enhances the tactile voting system by reading out the candidates and ballot information, increasing voting independence.

Vision Norfolk urges any person wishing to use this device to contact their nearby registration officer promptly, due to limited availability.

In a statement, Vision Norfolk chief executive Andrew Morter said: "It is hugely important for democracy that vision impaired people are able to cast their vote, as independently as possible and ideally privately."

Around 38,000 people in Norfolk are living with some degree of sight loss (Image: Zeljko Bozic)

He suggested voting devices should be a staple in all polling stations to safeguard the privacy and independence of voters with sight loss.

He has also urged people who are unable to get to a polling station on the day take note of the deadlines for other forms of voting.

More details can be found on the Vision Norfolk website.