The first meeting of the Disability Engagement Advisory (DEA) Committee marked a pivotal step in South Australia’s commitment to making electoral services more inclusive and accessible for people living with disability. With a full agenda and a shared sense of purpose, the committee began its journey to ensure that all South Australians are respectfully included in the democratic process for the 2026 State Election.
Mick Sherry, the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia said,
"As Commissioner, I am conscious of my responsibility in creating a culture of awareness, acceptance and celebration of diversity not only within the workplace, but also for elections.”
“We've got a really busy year next year. We've got the state election in March, followed closely by the council elections. The state election is basically the largest logistical event in this state. 1.3 million electors can vote, and my job is to ensure that we provide convenient, accessible voting options for those electors. It doesn't matter where they are – they could be in the in the APY Lands, in London or in Sydney, or simply local South Australia. Everyone must be provided the opportunity to be able to participate in our election. Sounds simple, but it's a significant challenge. For most South Australians, voting is a relatively straightforward exercise that is successfully done. Those living with disability; the act of voting can be much more challenging.”
The meeting brought together representatives from a diverse range of disability organisations, each contributing valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by their communities.
Discussions highlighted the importance of accessible information, or the need to support individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities, recognising that many people experience barriers that are not immediately apparent. Mental health advocates raised concerns about voting access for individuals in hospital settings, while others spoke about the unique needs of people with neurological conditions, autism, and sensory impairments. The importance of carers and support persons was also noted, particularly for those who require assistance to navigate the voting process. The committee acknowledged the significant number of South Australians with impaired decision-making capacity and explored ways to ensure their inclusion in the democratic process. Personal experiences shared by members, underscored the value of respectful and supportive treatment at polling places.
The Electoral Commissioner reaffirmed its commitment to removing barriers and creating mechanisms that enable all eligible voters to participate, regardless of their disability. This initiative is part of a broader effort to embrace the voices of young people, First Nations peoples, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, ensuring that electoral representation reflects the full diversity of South Australia.
The DEA Committee’s work is just beginning, but its vision is clear: a democratic process that is inclusive, respectful, and accessible to all.
The role of ECSA’s Disability Advisory Committee (DEA) is to discuss and advise ECSA on issues and strategies to ensure electors with disability are included, engaged and empowered to vote through the provision of accessible voting services and information.
Committee Members
- Blind Citizens Australia
- Brain Injury SA
- Can:Do Group
- Catalyst Foundation
- Disability SA
- Mental Health Coalition SA
- MS SA and NT
- Office for Autism
- Office of Public Advocate
- Purple Orange
- SeeDifferently (formally RSB)