The Live Wire

Opening up democracy event 2010

United Response held an event in partnership with Dods, The House Magazine and ePolitix.com in Parliament. This lunchtime session worked as an essential introduction to engaging with all voters, including those with learning disabilities, and will explored the prospects for a new, accessible democracy.

Monday 5 July, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Houses of Parliament

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John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons, was one of the guests at the event.

Speaking during the event, Bercow said:

"Making Parliament more accessible is a passion of mine, which is why I admire what United Response is trying to do."

Former newsreader and president of United Response, Martyn Lewis CBE demonstrated the success that United Response has already had in providing the information and means so that people with learning, mental or physical disabilities feel able to vote at the general election.

"We created the first-ever multimedia interactive guide to democracy, in the Making Democracy Accessible toolkit."

The general election 2010 was the first time ever that all three parties have produced accessible manifestos.

"At the general election the number of voters rocketed from 16 per cent to over 40 per cent of the people we support," he said.

To read more about the event please click here.

To listen to the event on MP3 click here.

United Response

United Response

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