Voting is a right that many of us probably take for granted – but for thousands of disabled people that is not the case and they are denied the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Disabled people still face discrimination when it comes to voting because of a number of different access barriers. These can include polling stations without ramps for wheelchair users or voting information which is not available in alternative formats such as Braille.
That’s why Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is supporting disability charity Scope’s ‘Polls Apart’ campaign in the run-up to the General Election, to ensure that disabled people have the same access to voting as everyone else.
Mr Bates is calling on Powys County Council to ensure that all local polling stations are fully accessible to disabled people. This could include changes such as installing temporary ramps or ensuring that polling station staff have disability equality training.
Mr Bates will also be taking part in a survey of local polling stations produced by Scope on polling day looking at access. Commenting he states:
“In a modern democracy it is simply not acceptable that so many disabled people are still denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.
“I hope as many people as possible will take part in this survey to raise awareness about this issue. Disabled people must be treated equally and fairly when it comes to voting.”
