Parties are ‘missing out on a million votes’ by not making polls accessible to people with learning disabilities.
Voters with disabilities and autism say they’re treated “like an afterthought” - as candidates fail to put out ‘easy read’ policies.
One young voter even said polling station staff had suggested he vote in the disabled toilets, as it was the only place he could fill in his ballot in private.
A study for the campaign My Vote My Voice found turnout among people with learning disabilities was 40% lower than the general population.
And as many as a third of the population don’t realise people with disabilities have the same right to vote as everyone else.
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The figures have sparked fresh fears that new voter ID rules will make matters worse, preventing even more people from using their right to vote.
James Walker, 24, from Hull is classed as having a profound and multiple learning disabilities.
He says one polling station suggested he vote in the disabled toiletHe cannot talk but uses eye gaze technology to communicate, and has a support team and relies on his mum to help him vote.
“Since I turned 18 my mum said I should cast a vote and have my own say on who runs the country,” he told the Sunday Mirror.
“I need Easy Read manifestos in advance to know their policies but some parties don’t bother to create them so they lose my vote”
He added: “Unfortunately, my polling station is a health centre with nowhere quiet for me to speak my choice aloud to my carers so they can mark my vote.
“I was once offered the disabled toilet to cast my vote. I think there should be a quiet room separate for people who have learning difficulties so we can have privacy.
“It worries me that people with learning disabilities do not vote because it is too difficult for them without reasonable adjustments.”
Shadow Levelling up Minister Alex Norris hosted the group in Parliament this week to launch their campaign.
“Listening to people with lived experiences I am shocked and saddened to hear of cases where people with learning disabilities have been unable to cast their vote,” he said.
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“The point is simple, if we want a democracy to be proud of then must ensure we listen to those most vulnerable in society.”
Speaking at the event, Local Government Minister Lee Rowley said it was a “very important issue.”
And he pledged to “continue to work with disability charities and local leaders across the elections sector to ensure everyone can exercise their democratic right to vote.”
Mr Walker is setting up a group for people with learning disabilities to meet and learn more about politics and how to cast their votes.
“Potentially all of the political parties could be missing out on over a million votes,” he said.
“It is in their best interest to help us cast our votes.”
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