Voting is a fundamental right, and everyone should be able to participate in the democratic process. This includes voting for people with a Learning Disability.
People with Learning Disabilities may face barriers to voting, such as difficulty understanding the ballot or navigating the polling place.
Innovate Trust’s Your Vote Matters project is working to change this. The group in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been busy making their voices heard this month!
They have visited the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Chambers, and the Senedd, with participants even being encouraged to become councillors! Watch out 2024…
Your Vote Matters aims to educate participants about democracy, local and national government elections, and to boost voter registration and turnout amongst people with Learning Disabilities.
Voting with a Learning Disability
In the United Kingdom, over 1.5 million people have Learning Disabilities.
A survey of voters with Learning Disabilities conducted in 2014 indicates 17% of people were turned away at the polling station because of their Learning Disability. 60% said that registering to vote was too hard. (source)
Like everyone, people with Learning Disabilities have the right to vote. But they often face barriers to doing so. These can include a lack of access to information and support, and difficulty understanding the voting process. As such, people with Learning Disabilities often see voting as having little value.
Voting is a way for people with Learning Disabilities to participate in their community and be part of the democratic process. It gives them a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. When people with Learning Disabilities vote, they are ensuring that they are valued members of their community and that their voices matter.
We want to give them the tools and information to make informed decisions.
About the project
Your Vote Matters will encourage political awareness and engagement amongst the people we support with a series of fun and informative workshops, day trips and activities about government, elections and the voting process.
Are you a friend or family member of a person with a Learning Disability, or professional who works with people with Learning Disabilities in the UK? Get involved in Your Vote Matters! We hold these sessions in person across South Wales and online on our Insight app to reach as many people as possible.
Sessions are co-produced with the people we support. The project will also support participants in creating Easy Read resources and videos to make sure that as many people as possible understand the importance of voting and how to register.
Project activities
Your Vote Matters delivers workshops on the following topics:
- What is democracy?
- What does it mean to vote?
- Why should I care?
- The UK and Welsh Governments explained
- Local government explained
- Introducing the main political parties
- The importance of making your own decisions
- Understanding your voting rights
- Registering to vote
- How to vote
Throughout the project, we will organise one-off interactive sessions to bring these topics to life. Project participants will get the chance to visit important government buildings, meet local politicians and take part in their very own mock elections, to name a few!
Get voting!
Get involved in Your Vote Matters and learn more about voting and choices that affect you. If you are not based in South Wales, get involved online by joining our Insight app!
My Vote My Voice has a brilliant Easy Read guide on practising your ballot paper that you can find here.
Mencap, along with the UK’s Cabinet Office, has also produced an Easy Read guide on voting and registering to vote that you can find here.
