We’re pleased to be working with Bristol City Council, RNIB and Pakflatt, the designer and manufacturer of the McGonagle Reader, to help blind and partially sighted people in Bristol vote independently and in private.

We now have five McGonagle Readers on loan, and our Community Sight Loss Advisors have been trained in how to use them. That means we can offer demonstrations and let people try out the equipment ahead of the local Mayoral election, which is being held on Thursday 1st May 2025.

These audio-tactile voting devices are designed to help blind and partially sighted people complete their ballot papers themselves, without needing assistance. Bristol City Council have invested in a number of these readers, which will be available at polling stations across the city – but South Gloucestershire and BaNES councils are not yet offering them.

Try a McGonagle Reader at our Bristol office

Throughout April, we’ll be opening our Bristol office at the Vassall Centre for you to drop-in. You’ll be able to try out a McGonagle Reader and get familiar with how it works. There’s no need to book – just come along on any of the following dates:

April: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 28th

Demonstrations at local Sight Loss Advice Hubs

We’ll also be bringing the McGonagle Readers to our Sight Loss Advice Hubs in Bristol, where you can try them out with the support of one of our trained advisors. A representative from Bristol Electoral Services will also be at each hub to answer questions about voting and accessible support.

Hub Dates:

• Henleaze – 1st April. Trinity Church, Henleaze, Waterford Road, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4BT. Drop in 11am – 12pm.
• Bedminster – 4th April. Guide Dogs South West Regional Centre, 10 Stillhouse Lane, Bristol, BS3 4EB. Drop in 10am – 11am.
• Whitchurch – 9th April. Whitchurch United Reform Church, 24 Bristol Road, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0PQ. Drop in 11am – 12pm.

These drop-in hubs are a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and ask any questions about voting independently.

About the McGonagle Reader

Traditional ballot papers are visual and often difficult or impossible for blind and partially sighted people to use without help. The McGonagle Reader is an audio-tactile device that allows you to locate the correct place to mark your vote using a combination of sound and touch. It’s a significant step forward in enabling people to vote with confidence, independence and privacy.

In trials, users found them accurate and easy to use – and feedback has been very positive.

Voting on election day

McGonagle Readers will be available to use on election day in Bristol. While a number of devices will be in use across the city, we recommend booking a time to vote if you know you will need one. Bookings can be made for any time after 10am – this helps ensure a reader is ready and waiting for you at your polling station.

If you haven’t booked, you can still ask for a McGonagle Reader on the day. Electoral Services staff will arrange for one to be brought to your polling station, but this may mean a short wait depending on availability and travel time.

Staff will be able to show you how to use the reader, but trying it out in advance at our office or a local hub may help you feel more confident when voting.

Campaign for accessible voting

We support the RNIB #BlindVotersCount campaign.  We hope that other authorities and returning officers across the West of England will consider following the lead of Bristol and introducing a wider range of accessible voting options.

Find out more about the RNIB campaign and how to get involved on their website https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/support-a-campaign/why-voting-in-secret-remains-impossible-for-many-people-with-sight-loss/