KERRY people who are blind or vision impaired will be able to use the brand new tactile ballot template in the upcoming referendum this year, meaning they can now cast their votes in secret for the first time.

Up to now, people with sight loss had to rely on others to help them exercise their franchise, which compromised their privacy. Now the NCBI is encouraging Kerry people with sight loss to contact their NCBI office in Maine Street, Tralee, to try the template.

A landmark High Court case taken by Dublin man  Robbie Sinnott, who is vision impaired, cleared the way for a tactile mechanism to be used to allow people who are blind or visually impaired exercise their franchise independently.

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Chris White CEO of the NCBI says; “This is an historic year for people who are blind or vision impaired. Up to now their vote was not secret, they had to discuss their choice with somebody else  and they could not even be sure that their preferred vote went into the ballot box. This situation was never acceptable to the NCBI and we are delighted that our recommendations have been taken on board by the Department. We are urging people with sight loss to contact the NCBI  in advance of the upcoming referendum  and try out the tactile templates to ensure they are comfortable and at ease using them. Our regional offices will be equipped with the templates  and there will be ample time for people  to have the opportunity to try them”.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government produced a tactile ‘ballot paper template’, taking on board design recommendations from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland.

The template is a clear plastic device which is placed over the ballot paper and features raised lettering, large print and braille.

It also has cut out sections to assist people to find where to mark their vote. The templates will be available at every polling station around the country.