Politicians must make democracy more accessible, says learning disability charity, United Response

25 September 2009

With a general election imminent, the national learning disability charity, United Response, is launching a set of guides – Making Democracy Accessible - to help politicians, party workers and public officials communicate more effectively with the thousands of people with learning disabilities, who are currently not using their vote.

People with learning disabilities have the same right to vote as everyone else, yet at present many of the 1 million adults with learning disabilities in England are not voting. Research carried out by United Response among the people it supports, shows that while 80 per cent are registered to vote, only 16 per cent voted in the 2005 General Election, compared with a national turnout of 61 per cent.

The research shows that a lack of easy to understand information about candidates and policies, along with the complexity of the democratic system, are key reasons for constituents with learning disabilities not using their vote.

Funded by the Electoral Commission, the Making Democracy Accessible guides include:

• A five point guide on how to make public and political information - including pamphlets, manifestos and websites - more accessible,

• Information on how to engage with learning disabled constituents.

• Information on the duties and responsibilities of political stakeholders to make information available to disabled people.

• Details of organisations that can help to make information easier to understand.

Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response said:

"People with learning disabilities are affected by decisions made at a national and local level in the same way as everyone else. Yet information about the democratic process is often presented in a way which is confusing and full of jargon, making it difficult for people to form and register an opinion on an issue. As a result, many people who would like to vote currently find themselves excluded from a system, which is meant to be there to represent them.

"By launching theses guides we are urging those working in the political and public arenas to do all they can to ensure that people with learning disabilities have their voices heard and are providing them with the tools to do so."

Lizzie Emeh, who has learning disabilities and lives in London, said:

"Even people without disabilities find it hard to understand politics. They just speak jargon and don't get to the point… Politicians don't involve us. If people with disabilities all vote we will be heard. The more we get our voices heard, the more people will respect us."

To find out more about Making Democracy Accessible and to order a copy of the resource, go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk/mda

Making Democracy Accessible is part of Every Vote Counts - a three year project funded by the Electoral Commission. To find out more visit www.everyvotecounts.org.uk

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