The situation of disability, declared in accordance with article 4 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013 of 29 November approving the revised text of the General Law on the rights of persons with disabilities and their social inclusion, is regarded as a sufficient reason to provide exemption from the obligation to be a polling station officer.
The provision of a declaration of disability, whatever the degree of disability, by the interested party will be sufficient for the Area Electoral Board to accept the reason, without it being necessary to provide a medical certificate listing the limitations preventing or hindering the performance of the functions of a polling station officer (Instruction 6/2011 of 28 April of the Central Electoral Board).
If the person does not wish to make use of this right, the Administration offers free services for deaf or hearing-impaired persons appointed as polling station officers:
1. A free sign language interpretation service for both incumbents and alternates (either Spanish sign language or, as appropriate, the sign languages of the autonomous communities).
These persons may apply to the Area Electoral Board, in writing and within seven days of the notification of their appointment, for the free services of a sign language interpreter.
The Area Electoral Board will inform the corresponding Government Department/Sub-Department of any cases in which it has been decided that the free sign language interpretation service should be provided.
The corresponding Government Sub-Department will report these cases to the Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for the coordination of state-wide electoral processes and, at the same time, the State Confederation of the Deaf (CNSE) will be informed
2. A free magnetic induction loop service for deaf or hearing-impaired people (users of hearing aids for both incumbents and alternates).
These persons may apply to the Area Electoral Board, in writing and within seven days of the notification of their appointment, for the free magnetic induction loop service.
The Area Electoral Board will inform the corresponding Government Department/Sub-Department of any cases in which it has been decided that the free service should be provided and the latter will report the cases to the Ministry of the Interior and the Spanish Confederation of Families of Deaf People (FIAPAS) in order to provide these people with the service requested.