As demonstrated at London’s Sight Village (November 2025), the “McGonagle Reader has begun to be used by some London councils to ensure their blind and partially sighted residents can cast their votes independently on May 7th, 2026.
Newham Council was the first reported council to adopt this machine for their residents. For many, this is hailed as a revolutionary, positive development, enabling blind and partially sighted people to cast their own votes in local elections for councillors and the Mayor of Newham. Click here for the full article about Newham:
The “McGonagle Reader allows residents with a visual impairment to cast their vote in secret. For many blind or partially sighted residents, the simple but profound act of casting a vote in an election is far from easy. An inability to see and read a ballot paper – and then mark a paper presents a real challenge. That is why, for the first time, a handful of councils are trialling the McGonagle Reader in polling stations across London. It gives the voter an audio prompt and physical aid to choose and mark their own ballot paper without assistance.
Croydon also recently announced that they have provided the McGonagle Reader in many of their polling stations, stating that although many of their stations are wheelchair accessible, this is another step forward for inclusion of all disabilities.Click here to read more about Croydon:
Watch/listen to a video about the McGonagle Reader and how it enables blind and partially sighted people to cast their vote:
https://fb.watch/GPpQnbzvkS/?fs=e
Remember, as blind and partially sighted residents, wherever you live, you are equally entitled to insist on having access to this machine to cast your vote under the Disability Discrimination Act 2010.