E-voting - a Key to Independence for All

The paper addresses the experience of Estonia in strengthening democracy through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to bring decision-making closer to the citizen. The presentation focuses on e-Voting and enhanced use of ICT in democratic practices as key elements in achieving independence for everyone, disabled persons included. This paper draws on the analysis of secondary sources of development of information society and e-Voting in Estonia. Also the results of a pilot study testing accessibility and usability of e-Voting environment for visually disabled people during the advance voting of parliamentary elections in March 2007 are covered.