NikonGear'23

Images => People, Portraits, Street, PJ & Cityscapes => Topic started by: PeterN on May 29, 2019, 12:11:44

Title: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: PeterN on May 29, 2019, 12:11:44: One of my voluntary activities is shooting for the Dutch Eye Association (Oogvereniging). Recently I made some photos of a relatively new service that allows visually impaired people to vote themselves without assistance. For many VIP's (visually Impaired People) this is a major step in living an independent life. Frankly, I did not realize how important this is. Unfortunately only 26 voting locations enable voting by visually impaired people. Herewith some shots of the voting process as well as the production of the mold that is being used to enable VIP-voting.

The voting process. Vincent Bijlo, a blind comedian, was invited to an event hosted by the mayor of Utrecht and the Eye Association:

Register for voting:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306348-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0ee8ac)

A soundbox assist in selecting the party and candidate:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306414-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0ee8ee)

Done!
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306493-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0ee93d)

And now the vote counts:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306552-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0ee978)

A special mold is used to enable voting. The mold is made by FabLab The Hague and is a labor-intensive process. They allowed me to shoot the final steps during a super busy time. Here is a visual overview:

Tools needed to complete the laser cut mold:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306663-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0ee9e7)

Mounting Numbers and braille stickers:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306757-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eea45)

Glueing:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306843-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eea9b)

Different colors for different elections:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306932-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eeaf4)

Different sizes. Sizes of voting papers vary per printer and city:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440306986-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eeb2a)

Putting the voting paper in the mold:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307037-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eeb5d)

The paper has to fit perfectly!
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307137-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eebc1)

Embossed numbers and braille stickers for party identification:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307181-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eebed)

Finding the party via embossed numbers or braille coding:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307351-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eec97)

Finding the candidate:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307244-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eec2c)

Voting:
(https://www.visualcue.nl/img/s/v-10/p3440307312-5.jpg) (https://www.visualcue.nl/VIP-voting/ecd0eec70)

BTW: the photos of the actual use of the voting mold are fictious. Voting itself is a personal activity that cannot be photographed.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: pluton on May 29, 2019, 20:56:56: Excellent picture-story that clearly shows what's going on.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Ann on May 29, 2019, 21:03:09: A fascinating story which you told, and photographed, so beautifully and clearly.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: John Geerts on May 30, 2019, 08:16:52: Beautiful documented, Peter !
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Jakov Minić on May 30, 2019, 10:16:44: How heartwarming, Peter.
Thank you for sharing this story!
I wish the news and media that we are surrounded with would convey similar stories of joy, compassion, and solidarity.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: PeterN on May 30, 2019, 11:11:04: Keith, Ann, John and Jakov: thank you for your very kind words!
It is a true pleasure to do this work for the Association. I made a series of portraits of people with albinism at an event. I had a specific impression of how people with albinism looked but there is such a variety in colors of eyes, skin and hair. So besides doing something I like to do (make photos of people) I learn a lot!
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Birna Rørslett on May 30, 2019, 11:46:27: Exemplary documentation. Well done.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Airy on May 30, 2019, 12:48:30: Yes !
I'll never trust electronic voting and besides, the "traditional", paper-based voting has a ceremonial character that I find appropriate. In the case you show, we get even more of that, well in line with the French Republic motto "Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité"
(BTW some advocate to replace the sexist-tainted "fraternité" (why not "sororité") by "solidarité", which is probably more needed than ever).
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: PeterN on May 30, 2019, 13:24:02: Quote from: Birna Rørslett on May 30, 2019, 11:46:27
Exemplary documentation. Well done.

I am blushing. Thank you!
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: PeterN on May 30, 2019, 13:25:46: Quote from: Airy on May 30, 2019, 12:48:30
Yes !
I'll never trust electronic voting and besides, the "traditional", paper-based voting has a ceremonial character that I find appropriate. In the case you show, we get even more of that, well in line with the French Republic motto "Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité"
(BTW some advocate to replace the sexist-tainted "fraternité" (why not "sororité") by "solidarité", which is probably more needed than ever).

We had an electronic system but this was reversed after the hacking risks. But paper definitely has a more special flavor.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Fons Baerken on May 30, 2019, 14:59:29: Thanks for Sharons Peter.
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on May 30, 2019, 17:32:15: I have never seen that before
this is a great set of touching and informing pictures
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: PeterN on May 30, 2019, 18:55:00: Thomas and Fons: thank you!
Title: Re: Voting for Visually Impaired People
Post by: Anthony on May 31, 2019, 00:10:00: Peter, an inspiring set of photos. It must be very satisfying for you to help people with your photography.