Why voting matters

Voter turnout among disabled persons is important for all the following reasons:

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• Persons with disabilities have unique experiences and perspectives to inform public issues

• Without voting, disabled persons are more readily ignored by politicians, who gain office through election

• There are many people with disabilities and they have the power to turn election results

• Not voting perpetuates the damaging myths of disabled persons being passive and dependent

• The more you vote, the less confusing the process becomes

• Greater accessibility benefits everyone

• Being civically active can be fun and rewarding!

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The barriers

Given the benefits above, why is there such low voter turnout among persons with disabilities? 

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• Voting stations can be physically inaccessible or present sensory challenges    

• There is a lack of accessible information for persons with disabilities about how to vote

• Persons with disabilities do not receive the same encouragement to vote that non-disabled persons do

• Damaging stereotypes have led many persons with disabilities to believe that they are incapable of voting

• Lack of previous voting experience makes the process and practice of voting even more intimidating

• Political info is confusingly written and often inaccessible to persons with intellectual disabilities 

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Breaking barriers

There are thankfully numerous ways to help break down these barriers

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Preparing To Vote 

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• Engage potential voters in casual conversations about how to vote, political issues, and rights

• Offer reminders and encouragement about voting 

• Assist voters with paperwork as necessary

•  Ensure that public candidates or election meetings occur in accessible venues

• Written political material should have plain English or Easy Read versions

• Voter registration should be offered online

• Election officials and volunteers should be educated about potential accessibility issues

• Electoral and campaign offices should have a TTY phone that deaf people can call for election info

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Voting

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• Advanced voting helps voters vote when it is best for them, often in a quieter setting

• Mail-in ballots provide a way to vote for people who might struggle to vote in person

• Transfer certificates allow voters to transfer to more accessible polling stations

• Level access at all polling stations makes them more accessible to persons with mobility limitations

• Sign language interpreter services should be provided for deaf or hard of hearing voters

• ​Braille documents listing the candidates and parties should be offered

• Voting templates and audio recordings also help visually impaired voters cast their ballot

• Sensory reduction options such as a quiet room or noise-reduction headphones help with sensory overload

• Transportation to the voting station should be available to voters who would struggle to get there otherwise

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After Voting

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• Hold discussions with friends, family, and support workers to help the voter understand the election results

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• Staff and family should support the voter in expanding their social networks so there are more people to connect with over political issues

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• The rights and duties persons with intellectual disabilities have in society must be a focus in everyday life between elections, since participation in decision making is something that should permeate daily activities year-round in several environmental contexts

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Other ways to become civically active

While voting is important, it is far from the only way to make an impact. Here are some other ways to get involved:

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• Contact your elected representatives and let them know how you feel

• Attend a public consultation

• Talk to others and educate them about issues you care about

• Join an advocacy committee, such as the Vancouver Community Council

• Speak at or attend a city hall meeting

• Volunteer with a political party

• Join a political party and attend their events

• Attend a political party convention: these are where policies and resolutions are often made

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And, in the words of Carla Qualtrough, Paralympian and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion: 

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"One thing that must be stressed is that you can be politically active and build your skills in many ways—you do not have to jump straight into running for office. I started as volunteer board member for a non-profit I was involved with, building my skills and passion for governance over time.

 

Another thing I recommend is to reach out to leaders and people with experience in the fields you are interested in. Before I first ran in politics, I called Rick Hansen and had invaluable talks with him about his experience as a leader and change maker."

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Download Inclusive Voting (PDF)

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Accessible Democracy Main Page​​​