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Hi Thanks for the info regarding online voting trial in the UK. In Australia, there was a limited trial of online completion of the Census form in the 2001 National census. There were many problems with the trial design, but it at least demonstrated that it was possible and it was a starting point for the 2006 census. The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission ([log in to unmask]) were involved. Interestingly, they (the Bureau of Statistics) thought that their biggest uptake in the future would be people who could fill it in on paper, but wouldn't be bothered, voting apathy is pretty similar. Rob Lake Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 16:55:03 +0100 From: Christine Barton <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Accessible voting I think a very positive move forward is under development. In England a = national pilot scheme on alternative ways of voting including via = Internet and SMS text message is being trialled at the May 2nd local = elections in five English districts. I live in a district where three = wards are taking part in the pilot. =20 I use voice recognition software on my computer because I have a = progressive physical impairment that means I have no voluntary movement. = I will be able to vote in my own home via the Internet using this = software. For the first time in some ten years I will be able to vote = in the same way as anyone else. This means I can behave like any other = member of the community and cast my vote in privacy. I think this is a = good example of technology leaping forward and making improvements for = disabled and nondisabled people alike. =20 I'm told that this will be the first time anywhere in the world that = someone with no independent movement has been able to vote in a formal = election without assistance. Of course, it would not be possible to log = into a ballot paper without a password and pin number, but the site = itself can be visited at www.votesheffield.com The site can be an = entirely navigated by voice if you have appropriate software on your = computer (I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking). =20 I would be interested to know if anyone is aware of any similar = hands-free voting system that operates anywhere else in the world. =20 Christine Barton ________________End of message______________________ Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List are now located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page.