ELECTION 2005

Just as important as being able to have access to a local restaurant or public house polling stations must be accessible for everyone on May 5th. The day when people vote which liar they would feel more comfortable making a shambles of this country. A disabled charity, who will remain nameless as they refused to give ABLE2UK any publicity on their website, are backing a campaign to ensure everyone can vote independently. This was brought to their attention at the last election in 2001 where it was noted that 70% of the UK polling stations failed to comply with basic disabled access. Some disabled voters had to ask somebody to vote on their behalf whilst others filled their ballad paper in whilst on the street! This was despite the fact there was a requirement for the ballot papers to be written in large print and tactile voting devices to be available.

Last month Scope (damn, we mentioned them!) asked disabled people to tell them what difficulties they had relating to the last election. The results made an interesting read, especially one written by a Mr. Blunkett regarding a secret love affair and a baby! Other results gave a detailed insight on the problems those with disabilities faced when voting four years ago as Scope campaigns manager, Ruth Scott pointed out,

"Results from our previous campaigns clearly show that democracy is currently not something available to all," she said. "This year we want 100% of
polling stations to be fully accessible, especially as most of them should now be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act."

There were at least three incidents which were brought to the charities attention about the obstacles which disabled voters faced whilst voting in the last election. One voter reported the low level polling booth was lying on the floor. Another voter wanted to use a tactile template (a kind of stencil which fits over the ballot paper for visually impaired users) although the staff had no idea how to use it! A third couldn't park near the polling station which was situated at the bottom of eight steps.

The estimated 15,000 disabled people to each constituency are all entitled to vote, but as Disability Rights Commissioner, Eve Rank reported, things need to be done to ensure everyone has an opportunity to vote next month. He said,

"Disabled people face real discrimination on voting day, Over complicated voting literature and ballot papers make it impossible for them to vote with confidence, with many not even getting as far as the polling booth."

SO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Don't use building with steps!

Low-level booths would be quite handy.

Braille & large print ballot papers should be provided and staff need to know how to use 'em

Disabled voters should be spoken to running up to the election to ensure their needs are catered for.

Alternative venues should be available if access is going to be tricky.

Disabled parking spaces near the venue.

Stop having affairs with pregnant people (Mr. Blunkett, take note of this one!)