There will be a general election soon.
United Response has launched some guides called Making Democracy Accessible. These are to help people working in politics to communicate better with people with learning disabilities.
Press Release
Politicians must make democracy more accessible, says learning disability charity, United Response
25th September 2009
People with learning disabilities have the same right to vote as everyone else.
But, we spoke to people with learning disabilities and found out that many do not vote.
We found out that one reason why people with learning disabilities do not vote is because there is not enough easy information.
The guides we have made include:
- How to make information easier
- How to include people with learning disabilities
- Why people working in politics need to make information available to disabled people.
- Organisations who can help make information easier.
Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response said:
"People with learning disabilities are affected by politics in the same way as everyone else. But information about politics is often not easy to understand. This means many people would like to vote but don't.
"We want people working in politics to use these guides. We want them to make sure they include people with learning disabilities so it is easier for them to get involved in politics."
Lizzie Emeh, who has learning disabilities lives in London. She 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."
