McMaster launches five‑year study to improve election accessibility beyond visible barriers
McMaster's five‑year research project, funded by Accessibility Standards Canada, will document visible and invisible barriers to voting for people with disabilities. It combines an Ontario-wide survey, observation of about 30 participants during a municipal election with City of Hamilton support, and LIVELab simulations to develop evidence-based solutions and standards.
Led by civil engineering professor Samir Chidiac, McMaster’s five‑year multidisciplinary study will map electoral accessibility challenges faced by electors and candidates with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities. The project integrates an Ontario-wide online survey, an in‑person cohort of about 30 participants observed during a municipal election (with City of Hamilton support and trained student observers), and controlled experiments in McMaster’s LIVELab manipulating lighting, acoustics and layout. Outcomes aim to produce evidence-based mitigation strategies and to inform accessibility standards and design practices. Funding is provided by Accessibility Standards Canada / Government of Canada.