Legal, administrative and accessibility barriers can prevent millions of voters with disabilities from taking part in elections, according to research.

A report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) analyses data on the political participation of people with disabilities across the 28 European member states.

Challenges are grouped under four themes: lifting legal and administrative barriers, increasing rights awareness, making political participation more accessible and expanding opportunities for participation.

The report notes Malta is the only member state that made a reservation to Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities upon ratification.

It reserved the right to apply its current electoral legislation for voting procedures, facilities and materials.

Problems with accessibility of electoral information for people with visual/hearing impairments

This system provides for disabled people to vote in front of assistant commissioners in their polling booth, although electoral laws specify that assistance is only available to those with physical or sensory impairments.

Such assistance can only be provided by electoral officials, whereas in other member states allowing such assistance, laws generally let the person with a disability choose who helps them.

In Malta, Slovenia and Spain, the report found problems with accessibility of electoral information, specifically for people with visual and hearing impairments.

In 2013, the Deaf Persons Association filed a complaint with the National Commission for Persons with Disability about the lack of Maltese Sign Language interpretation on national television during an election broadcast. As a result, the Broadcasting Authority included Maltese Sign Language interpretation in its election broadcasts.

Challenges faced by people with disabilities are experienced throughout the EU and will affect a considerable number of voters, as there are 80 million people with disabilities in Europe, the FRA said.